FEACTUKES OF BONES. 297 



588. Fracture of the Pelvis. 



Any of the three bones constituting the Pelvis are liable to be broken. 

 The most common and least serious of these injuries is chipping a piece 

 off the spinous process of the ilium, usually from the animal coming in 

 forcible contact with a doorpost or gate. When the observer stands 

 behind, the flatness of the injured side is very perceptible, and in popular 

 language the hip is said to be " down." The piece of bone, when sepa- 

 rated, occasions no inconvenience, and after a time becomes enclosed in a 

 cyst. A similar injury sometimes, though much more rarely, occurs to 

 the spinous process of the ischium in the posterior part of the hip. 

 These injuries do not usually cause any permanent unsoundness. 



The shaft of the ilium may be broken by a fall. This accident most 

 frequently occurs in heavy draught-horses. On account of the stoutness 

 of the periosteum and the general position of the bone, the broken ends 

 may not be much displaced ; but the nature of the accident is apparent 

 from the tenderness of the adjacent parts, and from the swelling and sore- 

 ness felt when the hand is introduced into the rectum, and also by the 

 crepitation observable, especially when the patient is moved slowly for- 

 ward, whilst the hand within the rectum is held over the seat of injury. 

 The animal will straddle greatly in his gait. 



If the fracture is not extensive and does not involve the hip-joint, and 

 there is not much displacement, and the animal is not irritable, repair 

 may take place. The patient must be restrained from lying down by 

 being placed in slings, and kept as quiet as possible. Nature may, and 

 often does in these cases keep the broken parts in proper apposition, but 

 art cannot from the position of the parts do anything to assist. In fa- 

 vorable cases the bones will have fairly reunited in about three months, 

 and the animal may probably be sound. 



Occasionally the fracture is very extensive and involves the hip-joint. 

 More rarely the body of the ischium is broken. In a few cases the sym- 

 physis pubis is fractured. All such injuries preclude any hope of 

 recovery. 



589. Fracture of the Pastern "bones. 



Fracture of the great pastern bone sometimes occurs, but that of the 

 small pastern or os coronae is more frequent. It occurs very suddenly, 

 and particularly in horses with high action. Probably the fracture 

 results from the foot coming to the ground in a faulty position, and thus 

 receiving unexpected concussion, whilst the parts of the leg are not in 

 the proper position to receive it. 



Fractures of either of these bones are very uncertain as regards the 

 chance of cure. When the horse gets a little better, he is very apt to 

 attempt to move his leg or to place weight on the foot, and then the 

 fractured ends may probably separate again. A simple longitudinal 

 fracture is worth treatment, but a comminuted fracture is not. 



