466 THE HORSE. 
readily detected ; but as they almost always follow a kick on the part, 
and as they do not require any treatment unless their broken ends 
press upon the important viscera of the thorax or abdomen, it will 
be well to wait for the symptoms which are caused by this mechanical 
irritation before resorting to bandages, &c. When a fracture occurs 
in any of the bones of the extremities, which are concealed by a large 
mass of muscle, the total inability to use the limb, and the loose way 
in which it is connected to the body, so as to allow it to be moved in 
any direction, indicate the general nature of the case without difficulty, 
though a careful examination must be made by a skilful surgeon before 
the exact particulars relating to it can be ascertained. 
The treatment will depend upon the bone which is broken, and whether 
the fracture is simple or compound. In most cases of the latter descrip- 
tion none will avail, and the horse had better be destroyed ; but if the 
owner is averse to this, it will be on the whole the best surgery, though 
apparently not very scientific, to encase the parts with adhesive plasters 
and tow, and then treat it as a simple fracture. 
If THE BONES OF THE SKULL are fractured, unless there are symptoms 
of pressure on the brain, it is advisable to leave all to nature, simply 
keeping the patient quiet and low, and if in a high state of plethora, 
bleeding and physicking. 
A BROKEN LOWER JAW is by no means uncommon as the result of a 
kick. The best treatment is to set the fracture, and then mould some 
gutta percha to it, which may be confined behind by strips round the 
forehead and poll, and before by a padded strap passed through the mouth 
between the nippers and tushes, and beneath the tongue. The horse 
must be fed upon mashes and steamed food. 
IN FRACTURES OF THE SPINE AND PELVIS nothing can be done beyond 
rest and lowering, if necessary, by bleeding and physic. 
BROKEN RIBS, when they cause inflammation of the lungs or liver by 
their sharp ends pressing upon these organs, may be treated by buckling 
two or three ordinary rollers abreast of one another tightly round the 
chest, so as to prevent the natural dilatation of the thorax, which takes 
place in inspiration, and which keeps up the irritation by constantly moving 
the ends of theribs. The general means necessary to adopt to relieve the 
internal mischief will depend upon its extent. 
WHEN EITHER THE SCAPULA, HUMERUS, OR FEMUR is broken, all that 
yan be done is to sling the horse, and by bandages endeavour to bring the 
iimb into as natural a position as possible, and keep it there. There must 
of necessity be great displacement of the ends of the bones, and these 
cannot by any means be brought into apposition ; but the sides In contact 
with one another, as they over-ride, will unite in course of time, and 
this is all that can be achieved by the utmost efforts of the veterinary 
surgeon. 
Fractures of the lower part of the tibia, of the radius, of the canna 
bones and the pasterns, if simple, must be treated by adjusting the ends 
(which is the chief difficulty, and will often require strong extension to be 
employed), and then adapting to the sides of the bones splints of wood or 
gutta percha. If, by the aid of assistants, the parts can be brought into 
a good position, these may be carefully adjusted to maintain it, and may 
be kept in place by tapes or straps fastened moderately tightly around 
them. It is useless, however, to attempt a minute description of the 
means to be employed, which can hardly be understood without a demon- 
stration. Many horses have recovered a fair use of the limb by the appli- 
