INJURIES TO THE KNEE IN THE HORSE. 
545 
minutes the wound is dry, and the edges can be brought together with 
interrupted sutures of silkworm gut, each inserted about \ inch from the 
line of incision, and about § inch from its neighbour. It is better to 
commence at, say, the upper extremity of the wound, and proceed down¬ 
wards, rather than to commence at the centre or at an intermediate 
point. The surgical knot should be employed. Silkworm gut is the 
best material to employ; it is solid, aseptic, non-porous, does not 
irritate the tissues, and is readily removed at a later stage. 
4. The wound being perfectly closed is powdered with iodoform, 
covered with iodoform gauze, and with a large pad of surgical cotton 
wool retained in position by tarlatan bandages, previously boiled. The 
slightly moist tarlatan readily adapts itself to the form of the limb, and 
is preferable to any other material. Bandaging should commence low 
down on the cannon bone, and be gradually continued upwards over the 
knee. 
It being absolutely essential to prevent all movement in the limb 
after operation, some form of splint is necessary. Plaster bandages 
have been tried with good effect, but a much simpler and more effective 
apparatus consists of a “legging” of very stout leather, reinforced by 
ribs of spring steel, and capable of being tightened by straps. This 
serves all the purposes of a plaster bandage, is slightily flexible, will not 
crack, and is less likely to injure the skin. Moreover it permits of the 
occasional inspection of the dressing, should this become necessary. 
The legging extends from just above the fetlock to 8 inches, more or 
less, above the knee. 
All going well, the “ legging ” and dressings are removed about 
the twelfth day after operation, when, if all details of the operation 
have been thoroughly carried out, the operative wound is found 
cicatrised without the most trifling formation of pus. The threads 
may then be cut with scissors and removed with aseptic forceps. A 
light bandage of iodoform gauze, retained in place by tarlatan bandages, 
is applied for another week to permit healing of the orifices left by 
the sutures, after which time the animal may be exercised in hand 
or put to light work. Slight swelling over the seat of operation 
occasionally persists for a week or two, but soon disappeais, the liaii 
grows again, and, instead of a large conspicuous blemish, an almost 
imperceptible linear cicatrix remains. This is soon covered by the 
growth of hair, and nothing can be distinguished except by the closest 
examination. 
Painful swelling of the limb, or discharge or smell from the dressing 
during the progress of treatment, points to suppuration. In such case 
the dressing must be removed, the parts irrigated thoroughly with some 
antiseptic solution, and the dressing renewed. Where local suppuration 
