289 CHAPTER 36. 



590. Broken ribs. 



The Ribs are rather frequently broken ; and, if so, the ends generally 

 overlap. It may be possible by manipulation temporarily to readjust the 

 ends, but it is not possible by any mechanical means to retain them in 

 their proper position. No material harm ordinarily results from their 

 overlapping; though in some cases a broken end thoroughly displaced 

 and turning inwards may injure some of the internal organs, and even 

 cause a fatal result. To prevent this, excision of the part may in such 

 cases be necessary. Nature will afterwards fill up the intervening space 

 with callus. 



The treatment, in addition to rest, consists in applying a large wide 

 roller or stout webbing over the part, in order to confine the bones in 

 one position as much as possible, and thus prevent undue expansion of 

 the ribs. The roller must be kept in its place by means of straps attached 

 to a collar on the neck. 



591. Fracture of the Nasal Bones. 



Fracture generally produces depression of the bones, and the breathing 

 is then interfered with. The treatment consists in raising the bones with 

 some blunt-pointed instrument to their proper position. To do this it 

 will probably be necessary to make an incision through the skin. The 

 bones must be retained in position, until reunion takes place, by strips 

 of stout plaster, or by any other mechanical contrivance convenient in 

 the particular case. The animal's head should be kept tied up for a con- 

 siderable time afterwards. 



592. Fracture of the Jaws. 



The lower jaw is liable to be fractured, especially under the molar 

 teeth, where it is very slender. After readjustment, splints and plasters 

 must be applied to retain the bone in its place ; and until union has 

 taken place, the animal must be fed on sloppy diet, so that he may 

 require to masticate as little as possible. 



593. Partial Fracture of the Tibia. 



If the Tibia be fractured right across, the case is hopeless ; but when 

 the blow occurs on the outside, where the parts are well protected by 

 muscular, ligamentous, and 'tendinous tissues, it often happens that the 

 bone is not fractured through ; or the fracture may be merely a longi- 

 tudinal split. In such cases the periosteum may be strong enough to 

 hold the parts together ; and if the nature of the injury is discovered at 

 once, the animal will often recover after a few weeks' rest. It very 

 often, however, happens that the real nature of the injury is not sus- 

 pected, and the horse after a few days' rest is again sent to work, and 

 then the bone at the first strong exertion becomes fractured through. 



