152 DR. LE(TEAR'S STOCK BOOK. 



FRACTURES. 



Fractures are more or less common among the lower animals, 

 but probably occur with greater frequency amongst dogs. They 

 rank among the most serious troubles to which an animal can be 

 subjected. There are several kinds of fractures, which are as 

 follows: 



Simple fracture is that form in which the bone is broken in a 

 clean manner, and straight or nearly straight across. 



Compound fracture is where the broken ends of the bone 

 separate, pierce the soft tissues, injure the skin, etc. 



Comminuted fracture is where the bone is broken in several 

 places or shattered. 



Compound comminuted fracture is a combination of the two 

 forms of fracture described above. In this form of fracture the 

 shattered bone also enters the soft tissues, lacerating them to a 

 greater or less extent. Besides the above kinds of fracture, we 

 may have the "complicated," when important blood vessels, 

 nerves, or a joint are involved; an "oblique fracture" is so called 

 on account of the break extending obliquely (slantingly) across 

 the bone. It frequently happens that there is fracture without 

 displacement, being held in place by the periosterim (bone cover- 

 ing) for days or weeks, until complete reunion takes place. 



Fractures may occur in a great many ways, and sometimes in a 

 .very simple manner; slipping in some cases being sufficient to 

 break a bone. Muscular contraction, during the struggles of an 

 animal when thrown and tied for an operation, is not an uncom- 

 mon cause of fracture; rearing up and falling backwards is a com- 

 mon cause of fracture of the bones of the neck or back part of 

 the head. External injuries, such as blows, kicks, etc., also cause 

 fractures. 



