498 
ON THE TREATMENT OF OPENED JOINTS. 
bind the joint up by a flannel bandage of some yards in length; 
this dressing I repeat daily, till synovia appears, when I discon¬ 
tinue fomentations, and use a saturated solution of bichlorate of 
mercury in spirits of wine ; or a lotion made by first dissolving the 
salt in muriatic acid, in the proportion of two drachms of the 
former to four drachms of the latter and one pound of water. 
This dressing may be used twice a day until synovia has ceased 
flowing, after which the wound may be treated in the ordinary 
way. In a few instances the foregoing liquids will not be suf¬ 
ficiently strong of the corrosive sublimate to coagulate the synovia 
as it issues from the joint; you may then use the sublimate in 
the form of a fine powder, either mixed with some description of 
farina, or even alone, taking care that it does not find its way into 
the joint, and as much as possible applying it only to soft parts, 
and in a manner avoiding every thing but the coagulated synovia 
which will be found about the opening through which the liquid 
flows. In punctured w r ounds of joints the introduction of the 
powdered sublimate a little way into the opening is the best way 
of applying it. As a matter of course, I bleed and give physic; 
and after the joint-oil has been stopped, the local treatment may 
be the same as w 7 hat is generally observed to other parts in a 
state of inflammation. In some cases it will be necessary to 
inject the wound, and the best liquid I have found for such a 
purpose, and that may be used with safety, is the extract of lead 
unadulterated : this, as well as sublimate, has a chemical effect 
upon the albuminous matter, of which synovia principally consists 
(although not equally powerful), converting it into a solid, which, 
by organization I suspect, makes good the breached cavity. 
Should, gentlemen, my plan of treating open joints be deemed 
worthy a trial by any reader of The Veterinarian, I doubt not 
but that the observations I have made will be borne out in his 
practice ; and as my motives for making them are for the general 
good of those concerned in the medical management of horses, 
and to excite others to similar communications, I hope to be ex¬ 
cused any presumption I may have been guilty of by giving advice 
through a public channel. 
I have the honor to be, Gentlemen, 
Your most humble and very obedient Servant, 
R. V. DAWSON. 
August 1830. 
