248 



HEALTH A^^D DISEASE 



FRACTURE OF THE METACARPAL BONES 



In adult and aged horses the metacarpal bones are generally united 

 together by ossific union, and it results from this, when fracture occurs, 



that all the bones are involved in it. 

 In colts, where they are united by 

 ligaments only, each one of them may 

 be broken independently of the others, 

 but such an occurrence is very occa- 

 sional. 



Fracture of these bones (fig. 326, 

 p. 222) is mostly brought about by 

 kicks, jumping into deep hard roads, 

 blows against fences and walls, and 

 slips, &c. 



The absence of muscles in this 

 region, and the opportunity thus 

 afforded of a clear view and thorough 

 manipulation of the part, renders diag- 

 nosis an easy matter when displace- 

 ment has occurred. The bone will be 

 seen to bend at the seat of fracture 

 when any attempt is made to put 

 weight upon it. In progression, that 

 part of the limb below the breach has 

 ceased to be under control, and swings 

 about as the body moves forward. 

 Crepitus can be readily produced, and 

 the existence of a fracture becomes at 

 once apparent. 



Treatment. — Although these cases 

 are both difficult and uncertain, now 

 and again treatment has its reward 

 in restoration to a state of usefulness, 

 but it is seldom possible to avoid de- 

 preciation in the value of the animal. 

 To what extent this factor will assert itself will depend veiy much ujDon 

 the degree of displacement and the damage inflicted upon surrounding 

 tissues by the unrestrained movement of the broken fragments after the 

 accident. 



Fractures without displacement, when they are diagnosed and promptly 



Fig. 338. — Splint for Fracture of the Metacarpal 

 Bones 



