378 UPON THE TREATMENT OF OPEN JOINT. 
plunge it into the white of a broken egg. Hold it within the 
substance till the iron cools, or is of a dead heat, and then 
withdraw it. In what condition will the iron be when it is 
taken out? Yet this is exactly the basis upon which Mr. 
Coleman used to advocate the use of the budding-iron. The 
iron plunged into white of egg will be coated with its 
coagulation, and the same weapon inserted among synovia 
will be covered with the like product. The substance which 
was to be left behind to serve as a plug will come away, and 
the injury be aggravated, the bad effects alone being left be- 
hind. I know the iron is now recommended for small openings 
alone, but there may be a small opening in the first instance, 
which, when the slough takes place, shall prove a large one, 
and what can be the service of a remedy which is uncertain 
in its action, injurious in its application, and which does not 
provide for the natural after-consequences ? There remains 
yet another mode of treatment to be mentioned : this consists 
simply in mechanically stopping the flow of synovia, placing 
a cork in the orifice, as I have heard it elegantly expressed. 
Now, as open joint is generally accompanied by a las- 
cerated wound, a lascerated wound must close by suppura- 
tion, then in thus plugging the orifice, they not only prevent 
the escape of synovia, but at the same time they dam up the 
pus. It matters not whether lime, corrosive sublimate, com- 
pound tincture of aloes, with a pledget of tow and bandages, 
Indian rubber, or brown paper be used, the principle is the 
same. I leave the defence of such a proceeding to those who 
can advocate the result which ensues from confined pus, and 
without recording the injurious effects I have witnessed from 
that which I consider the bad treatment of others, will at once 
record the good effect which I have seen result from my own 
plan. 
Case 1. — A cart mare having a severe tread upon the front 
of the coronet of the off hind leg, was brought to London, 
twenty-two miles, with a heavy load behind her. She per- 
formed the journey, but upon entering Brooks’ Mews, 
Paddington, her foot slipt, probably from exhaustion, and 
after she had fallen, she was driven some distance down hill 
by the impetus of the weight behind her. 
Upon releasing her, it was discovered she had injured the 
old sore, and was acutely lame. The proprietor returned to 
the country leaving behind him his maimed servant with 
directions she should be treated : I was called in, and at first 
I gave up the case. The wound was rather larger than a 
crown piece, directly upon the tendon of the extensor pedis, 
and over the coffin-joint ; I put my probe into the wound, it 
