The more favorable terminations are never to be anticipated when the barbarity of bandages and the cruelty of caustics are sanctioned. The horse which recovers from such treatment is, by an enlarged and blemished limb, rendered an object painful to contemplate, and is entirely unsuited to any gentleman's uses, while the life of the creature is rendered burdensome. There is nothing in the proper treatment which a child might not safely apply. The measures create no pain and require no force; they rather soothe than irritate, and therefore are always submitted to with complacency.
OPEN JOINT ENSUING UPON BROKEN KNEE,
AND SOLELY CAUSED BY THE ABUSE OF
BANDAGES.
THE GENERAL APPEARANCE OF AN OPEN
JOINT WHEN FIRST SUBMITTED TO THE
NOTICE OF THE SURGEON.
The animal, when first brought in, never displays symptoms indicating the full extent of its injury. The part which has been wounded generally presents something like the aspect represented in the engraving on the right. Commonly there is an evident flow of synovia, but the most careful examination can seldom detect positive evidence of an open joint.
The full extent of the evil cannot be known before the slough takes place. This is certain to follow upon the customary bleeding, physicking, low diet, bandages, and caustics being employed. As recovery is wished for, all such aggravations must be rejected. Proceed, in the first instance, as has been directed for broken knee; and these things being done, give the following drink:—
| Sulphuric ether | One ounce. |
| Laudanum | One ounce. |
| Water | Half a pint. |
| Give this without noise or violence. | |
Treat the frightened animal with even more gentleness and patience than would be bestowed upon a sick child. A harsh word may now, when the system is shaken and every nerve unstrung, do that harm which no medicine can repair.
Having given the drink, look at the animal and take the pulse. Should the appearance denote inward comfort, should the pulse be natural, give no more drinks; but if the eye is in constant motion, if the horse breathe hard and start at sounds, if the head is held high and the ears are active, repeat the ethereal draught, and continue repeating it every hour until the foregoing symptoms abate.