VETERINARY COLUMN.

Rodney and Otamatea Times, Waitemata and Kaipara Gazette, 12 June 1912, Page 1

VETERINARY COLUMN.

Farmers Council.

OPEN JOINTS.

A special difficulty in treating these cases is to check the flow of joint oil or synovia. To do this it is first of all necessary to fix the joint by plaster of Paris bandage or splints, so as to prevent movement. Some joints as the fetlock, etc., are easily fixed by ft bandage; larger joints, as the knee and hock, usually need some contrivance, as an iron bar or piece of wood put on to: the leg like a splint. A piece of zinc spouting well padded and rounded at the ends is very suitable. The higher joints cannot be fixed in this manner, but if the lower ones be fixed, motion is more or less limited in the one immediately above. Iv the case of the stifle joint, from the anatomical arrangements of certain tendons, movement cannot take place if the hock be fixed. Thejjaw-joint is a very awkward one to fix, as by doing so mastication is stopped; but this must be done for a time, and motion must be limited till recovery ensues. A tight nose band effectually does this By some, blisters are applied rouiuL the opening and over the joint; they act very well—they increase the granulating process and keep the joint still. Iv all such cases, however, it is an advantage to coagulate the discharge. The charge is albuminous, so that there are a number of substances to use. A common one is alum; not by itself, but as an ingredient of what is called Openjoint Powder, mode thus— Alumini, 1 ounce lerri Sulphatis, 1 ounce Pulv Myrrhae, 1 ounqe Directions: To be sprinkled on the part. The objection to this is that albumen is re-dissolved by alum in excess. The best and neatest applications are nitrate of silver in the solid form, corrosive sublimate (one dram in one ounce S. V. R.) applied with a feather and Burnett's fluid 1 ox to 20 oz of water for coagulating, or paint with oil of cloves. Do not wash, but let the dirt remain on it if not too much. A good cantharides blister over the wound and around the contiguous parts is very effectual. On no account be too hurried in exercising the animal as the wound is apt to burst again Oare must be taken not to introduce, any of these substances into the joint but merely to touch the escaping synovial fluid at the opening. Finally never remove the plug of coagulated fluid from the opening when dressing a case, but encourage accumulations. "GREASE » IN HORSES. This expressive name is given to a skin disease affecting the legs. Heavy cart horses are most subject to it. The hind legs seem more prone to become "greasy" than the fore. Grease varies in degree, from a small spot covered with short brokenhairs, representing merely a wet surface, to a state in which the leg up to near the hock is covered with red, painful granulations and a stinking discharge. The treatment of this disease is generally tedious, and often unsuccessful; this is probably owing to neglect in dressing as much as to the natural obstinacy of the affection. The restiveness of the animal, coupled with the offensive smell arising from a greasy leg, renders the duty of dressing so disagreeable as to ensuro neglect by all but the most patient of men. A dressing should" bo astringent, caustic, and disinfectant. These qualities are combined in the following ; —

Ferri Sulphatis, 16 ounces Ziad Sulphatis, 16 ouiico* Cupri Sulphatis, 16 ounces

Dissolve iv a gallon of-boiling water and aid Carbolic Acid

I am etc.,

John C. Cadman, P.SDr., M.P.S., N.Z, Chemist, Warkworth