G3 
REMINISCENCES OF COUNTRY PRACTICE. 
By Agricola. 
WOUND PENETRATING THE EETLOCK JOINT. 
A hunter, while being ridden to the hounds by the Master 
of the Hunt, met with an accident by striking the pastern of 
the off fore leg against a sharp flint. The wound of the 
integument was about three inches long, passing obliquely 
across the front of the fetlock-joint, dividing partly the ex- 
tensor tendon, and penetrating the capsular ligament of the 
articulation. The animal, being completely disabled for the 
field, w r as led home, a distance of about four miles, and which 
he accomplished with much difficulty. 
On visiting the patient, I resolved, as the incision of the 
integument was cleanly cut, to give trial to sutures and slight 
compression, to bring about, if possible, the quick healing of 
the wound. Accordingly, after freeing the limb from dirt, 
and all extraneous matter, by ablutions with tepid water, the 
edges of the wound were brought neatly together with pins 
and the twisted suture. A pledget of lint saturated with 
Tinct. Myrrh. Comp, was applied, being secured by a light 
roller bandage, and over this was placed a moderate sized 
linseed poultice. The patient was tied to the “ rack-chains” 
to prevent his lying down, and directions were given that he 
should be kept as quiet as possible. His corn was removed, 
and a mash diet substituted. 
On the following morning the animal was suffering so 
much pain of the limb, that he was prevented putting the foot 
to the ground — some irritative fever had also set in. A light 
rest-shoe w r as placed upon the foot with only nails sufficient 
to secure its hold. The poultice was removed, the bandage 
loosened , and continued fomentations ordered. Some blood 
was also abstracted from the jugular, and an aperient given. 
Third day. The symptoms of suffering are about the same. 
Synovia is escaping through the bandage. Take away all the 
dressings. Apply Liq. Plumbi Acet. to the wound with a 
pledget of lint. Gently fix this with a linen bandage, and keep 
the limb wet with a diluted solution of the same compound. 
Fourth day. Bowels responding to the medicine. Less 
constitutional disturbance, but still a good deal of local pain. 
Give Potas. Nitras, 3ij. in a mash. Do not disturb the wound, 
but continue the use of the lead wash. 
Eighth day. The treatment having been continued to this 
time with a gradual diminution of the symptoms, I ventured 
