34 
WOUNDS OF THE ARTICULATIONS. 
tion of them in a general manner, and conclude by investi- 
gating the solution of continuity of the various articulations, 
with the curative means which should be adopted for 
each. 
The articulations that are exposed, are subject to various 
lesions. Their superficial situation, coupled with the motion 
of the animal, frequently subjects them to injury. 
The rapidity of the action, and necessary exertion to which 
animals are put whilst drawing, added to the weight of the 
body, frequently, among the monodactyles, give to these 
wounds a most grave character. 
NON-PENETRATING WOUNDS. 
These affect the exterior structures of the articulations, 
and frequently do not differ from wounds in other parts of 
the body, although sometimes certain peculiarities may be 
assigned to them ; for instance, they may be complicated by 
arthritis, and followed by a wound penetrating into the 
articulation. The difference in the vitality of the adjacent 
tissues, and the proximity of tendons, and synovial sheaths, 
also increase these complications. The mobility of the joints, 
and the irregularity of the external wound, likewise retard 
cicatrization. 
Horses are often affected with non-penetrating wounds at 
the bend of the knee and the hock, and when these wounds 
are accompanied with much loss of substance, the cure then 
becomes greatly retarded. The cicatrices are of an unhealthy 
character, and unsightly, through much induration of the 
cellular tissue. Astringents, solvents, and caustic agents have 
not been always found sufficient to heal this solution of con- 
tinuity. 
PENETRATING WOUNDS. 
Wounds which penetrate the articulations present certain 
characters of a more serious nature than the preceding. 
They generally produce traumatic arthritis, and are of a 
very complicated nature. The ginglymoid articulations are 
most frequently the seat of these wounds, and among them 
the stifle joint is often exposed to accidents of this kind. 
From the nature of the synovial membranes, they have 
been compared, with more or less truth, to serous ones, 
which frequently, when diseased, have as bad a termination 
as articular wounds. The situation of these membranes ex- 
plains the frequency of these lesions ; and we are often 
astonished to find that a contusion which has its seat several 
inches from an articulation, causes a fistulous opening from 
