638 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY 



properly says, it is a custom founded on ignorance, 

 and should not be perpetuated by publishing written 

 directions how to perform the operation. Concurring, 

 as we do, in the opinion of Dr Blain, we abstain from 

 any description of the operation. 



FRACTURES. 



Fracture of the thigh-bone is extremely common, 

 but is by no means so difficult of cure as might be 

 supposed. If the flesh has been injured by the 

 fracture, the first thing to be attended to is to get 

 quit of the swelling and inflammation, which must 

 be accomplished by means of fomentations of vinegar 

 and water, until allayed. Then apply a long piece 

 of wood, in the form of a lath, which must reach 

 from the foot to a little way above the fracture. 

 But before applying this, a pitch-plaster sufficiently 

 large to surround the thigh must be applied, and 

 then the slip of wood firmly bound over it by means 

 of a roller of cotton cloth, an inch and a half broad. 

 But care must be taken not to make it too tight, 

 otherwise the circulation may be retarded, or entirely 

 stopped, which will in all probability terminate in 

 mortification. 



If the leg-bone is broken, then several splints of 

 wood must surround the limb, carefully wrapped 

 round with a bandage. 



When fractures of the limbs are comminuted, 

 that is, broken in two or more places, then the cure 

 becomes more difficult and uncertain in its issue, as 

 it is difficult for an inexperienced person to place the 

 pieces of broken bone in their proper position. The 

 safest plan is to have compound fractures set and 

 attended to by veterinary surgeons. 



