Joints are liable to external injury from wounds or bruises, and,
although a joint may not be open in the first instance, subsequent
sloughing may expose its cavity. The ordinary effects of disease in
membranes covering joints are, a profuse discharge of joint oil,
(_synovia_,) and a thickening of the synovial membrane. Sometimes the
joint is cemented together; it is then termed anchylosis.
_Treatment._--The first object is, to promote adhesion, by bringing the
edges of the wound together, and confining them in contact by stitches.
A pledget of lint or linen, previously moistened with tincture of myrrh,
should then be bound on with a bandage forming a figure 8 around the
joint. If the parts feel hot and appear inflamed, apply a bandage, which
may be kept constantly wet with cold water. If adhesion of the parts
does not take place, apply the following:--
Powdered bayberry bark, 1 ounce.
Fir balsam, sufficient to form a thick, tenacious mass, which may be
spread thickly over the wound; lastly, a bandage. Should a fetid
discharge take place, poultice with
Powdered charcoal, } equal parts.
" bayberry, }
In cases where the nature of the injury will not admit of the wounded
edges being kept in contact, and a large surface is exposed, we must
promote granulation by keeping the parts clean, and by the daily
application of fir balsam. Unhealthy granulations may be kept down by
touching them with burnt alum, or sprinkling on their surface powdered
bloodroot. The author has treated several cases, in which there was no
hope of healing by the first intention, by the daily use of tincture of
capsicum, together with tonic, stimulating, astringent, antiseptic
poultices and fomentations, as the case seemed to require, and they
always terminated favorably. In all cases of injury to joints, rest and
a light diet are indispensable.