WOUNDS OF THE ARTICULATIONS, 87 
succeeded in articular wounds of the hock and knee.* From 
our own observation the repeated employment of collodion, 
has not, however, been attended with success ; because among 
animals the presence of hair and its rapid growth after being 
cut, are obstacles to an efficacious adherence of this agent. 
The medical agents which have been advocated as remedies for 
articular wounds, have been taken from different classes of 
the w.ateria medica. Among the principal may be mentioned, 
emollients, astringents, vesicants, and caustics ; they are not, 
however, all of the same therapeutic worth. 
Emollients . — These were formerly employed exclusively in 
the treatment of articular wounds, but they are now dis- 
carded, especially by modern veterinary surgeons, who have 
recourse more and more to the principles of medicine, with 
a view to the adoption of that plan which is based upon 
the necessity of allaying the disturbed condition of the dis- 
eased tissues. 
Numerous facts, published by various authors, appear to 
be in favour of emollients ; these would, however, be of little 
value, even were it possible to compare with them the number 
of cases in which emollients have failed. We may also observe, 
that the advocates of their employment, never fail, in unsuc- 
cessful cases, to have recourse to irritants. They therefore 
attribute to the emollients a more efficacious action than they 
deserve. We admit that many articular wounds, in which 
emollients are used, have terminated favorably ; but this does 
not prove that the cures were due to these agents, but rather 
to nature. 
Some persons use decoction of the common mallow, or 
marsh mallows. Linseed meal, and analogous cataplasms, 
are also occasionally employed ; and sometimes with a view 
of diminishing the pain, narcotics, such as decoctions 
of belladonna, or opium are combined with them. The 
advantages derived from these agents are supposed to be 
from their relieving the sufferings, but this is an error; 
for, as will appear by this report, irritants, and even caustics 
effect results more rapid and complete. 
Emollients have been justly condemned, because they do 
not act with more activity. They soften the tissues and 
render the wounds pale, and retard cicatrization. Under 
their influence complications are more frequent, suppuration 
invades more easily the articular surfaces, and then follows 
purulent arthritis, an accident almost ahvays irremediable. 
Thus emollients are always contra-indicated. We do not 
admit that they should be used even at the commencement, 
* Itecueil, 1850, p. 180. 
