814 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



A comminuted fracture is where the bone is broken or crushed into several small pieces. 

 In cases of simple fracture a horse may (with proper treatment) so far recover from the 

 injury as to be made useful for many purposes, and when such an accident happens to a val 

 uable animal, it will pay to take the trouble to accomplish it. In the other forms of fracture 

 mentioned, it will generally be useless to attempt a cure, and the animal had better be killed 

 at once, and relieved of his suffering. 



The treatment of a fractiire should be such that the portions of the bones broken shall 

 be restored to their original position, and held there by some means that will keep them 

 secure in place until they have united, and at the same time will not cause discomfort or 

 injury to the patient. 



A friend of the writer had a valuable pet horse that had its leg broken above the knee, 

 by accidentally falling off a steep declivity while running in the pasture. Although many 

 advised killing the animal, the ,owner, being greatly attached to him, did not follow the advice, 

 but had the limb properly placed and bandaged, and the horse taken to a large spreading 

 apple tree in the orchard, it being summer, and slung up to one of the strong branches, 

 just enough to relieve the limbs of the weight of the body. 



A hollow was then made in the ground directly under the broken leg, to prevent the 

 possibility of its hitting anything. An awning tent was constructed about him, so as to keep 

 off the storm, and at the same time to be open on all sides in pleasant weather. This animal 

 recovered to the extent that he has been used for a carriage-horse for several years, there 

 being no indication of the former injury except that the broken limb is not quite as strong 

 as the others, but even this is only detected when he has become very tired from an unusually 

 long journey. 



In setting a fractured limb, the bones should be placed in their former position so that 

 when grown together the limb will be of the same length as the corresponding one, and also 

 to secure the most strength possible. The broken surfaces should be brought closely 

 together. It is a good plan to apply a coating of tar to the leg a few inches above and below 

 the fracture; then wrap the whole leg in cotton-batting, just enough to keep the splints from 

 hurting the skin, and place over this, splints cut from wood, that will rest evenly upon the 

 leg. There should be four or five splints placed about the leg in such a manner as to keep 

 the bones in place. All uneven spaces under them should be filled with cotton. Over these, 

 carefully wrap strong bandages several times around, and secure them by pins or soft cord, 

 so that they shall not become loosened. The bandages will require being sufficiently tight to 

 hold all securely in place, and at the same time should not be so tight as to prevent a proper 

 circulation of blood in the limb. The splints should be carefully examined every day to see 

 that they have not become displaced. 



A little tincture of arnica poured over the fracture will relieve the soreness, and it may 

 be well to give the animal from twenty to twenty-five drops of tincture of aconite root every five 

 or six hours during the first twenty-four, to lessen the fever and pain somewhat. The horse 

 should have plenty of nutritious food, and all the water he will drink, if given frequently. 

 Green food, such as fresh grass, carrots, turnips, or potatoes, should be given in connection 

 with oats. A bran mash should also be given occasionally. 



When a horse thus injured is kept in a stable, it will be well to make a hole in the 

 floor underneath the foot of the broken leg, to avoid its touching anything, and admit of its 

 hanging in a natural position. It is considered unnecessary by some to sling the horse up to 

 relieve the limb in case of fracture, but we regard it as a sure precaution against any dis 

 placement of the bones, which would be liable to occur if this were not done. In slinging 

 the animal, he should not be entirely elevated from the ground, but to the extent that he 

 may be able to relieve himself, and rest from standing. The broken limb should always have 

 the earth hollowed out under it, or some other means employed to permit it to hang free 

 from all obstructions and obviate hitting against anything. 



