136 
TREATMENT OF OPEN JOINTS. 
Examination of the Calculi . — The weight of the uretal 
calculus was ^ij 3j ; that of the urethral 3 ij. The external 
surface of each was nodulated, thus bearing a resemblance 
to what has been designated the mulberry calculus, as stated 
by Mr. Litt. The colour was a light yellowish brown, and a 
few fragments being subjected to the action of hydrochloric 
acid, they dissolved with considerable effervescence, and from 
the solution lime was readily thrown down by the oxalate 
of ammonia. Another portion comported itself under the 
blow-pipe exactly as does the carbonate of lime formation. 
Therefore the inference deductible can only be that this is 
the constitution of these concretions.] 
ON THE TREATMENT OF OPEN JOINTS. 
By R. H. Dyer, M.R.C.Y.S., Waterford. 
In the December number of your journal, for 1845, 1 re- 
corded a case of open knee-joint, successfully treated by the 
application of Hydrargyri Bichloridum. From that time to 
the present I have met with many similar cases, and have 
employed a variety of therapeutical agents with varied suc- 
cess. In the month of October, 1854, 1 was called to a case 
of open pastern joint in the near hind leg of a horse, which 
was the most serious one I had ever met with. This, doubt- 
less, was owing to the extraordinary amount of motion that 
part of the limb is capable of performing. I was induced to 
try the flour, beer, and paper treatment, which has been so 
ably described by some of our talented practitioners. This 
mode of treatment I persevered in for some time with, I re- 
gret to say, total failure. I therefore fell back upon my old 
method, viz., the use of Hyd. Bichlor. After carefully re- 
moving the synovial fluid which had escaped from the joint, 
I placed a mixture of Hyd. Bichlor., Peruvian bark, and 
flour, upon a piece of raw cotton. This was carefully laid 
upon the wound, and kept in its place by means of a calico 
bandage, four yards in length and two inches wide, wrung 
out of starch-water; a second starch bandage was then 
placed over the first, and a dry bandage over this. 
The horse was properly secured to the rack to prevent any 
injury to the leg, and absolute rest enjoined. I found this 
case of no ordinary character to treat, owing to the facility 
with which the animal moved his limb. To prevent this, I 
applied Ung. Canth., q.s. to the inner part of the hock- 
