FRACTURE OF THE ^EMUE, PATELLA, TIBL^, HOCK. 339 



different appearance of the limb. It is not so difficult of reduc- 

 tion as either the humerus or the scapula, Avhen the fracture is 

 towards the middle of the bone. A great quantity of tow satu- 

 rated with pitch must he placed around the elbow, and confined 

 with firm adhesive plasters, the ground being hollowed away in 

 the front of the injured leg, so that no pressure shall be made by 

 that toot. 



Fracture of the femur. — Considering the masses of muscle 

 that surround this bone, and the immense weight which it sup- 

 ports, it would naturally be deemed impossible to reduce a real 

 fracture of the femur. If the divided bones are ever united, it is 

 a consequence of the simple repose of the parts, and their tendency 

 to unite. 



Fracture of the patella. — This does occasionally, though 

 very seldom, occur. It is usually the consequence of violent 

 kicks, or blows, and if this singular bone is once disunited, 

 no power can bring the divided portions of the bone together 

 again. 



Fracture of the tiblv. — This affection is of more frequent oc- 

 currence, and of more serious consequence, than we were accus 

 tomed to imagine it to be. 



Mr. J. S. Mayer gives an interesting account of the successful 

 treatment of a case of fracture of the tibia. The simplicity of the 

 process will, we trust, encourage many another veterinary surgeon 

 to follow his example. 



" A horse received a blow on the tibia ot" the near leg ; but little 

 notice was taken of it for two or three days. When, however, 

 we were called in to examine him, we found the tibia to be ob- 

 liquely fractured about midway between the hock and the stifle, 

 and a small wound existmg on the inside of the leg. It was set 

 in the following manner : — The leg, from the stifle down to the 

 hock, was well covered with an adhesive compound ; it was then 

 wrapped round with fine tow, upon which another layer of the 

 same adhesive mixture was laid, the whole being well splinted 

 and bandaged up, so as to render what was a slightly compound 

 fracture a simple one. The local inflammation and sympathetic 

 fever that supervened were kept down by antiphlogistic measures. 

 At the end of six weeks the bandages and splints were removed, 

 and readjusted in a similar way as before, and at the termination 

 of three months from the time of the accident he was discharged, 

 cured, the splints being wholly taken off, and merely an adhesive 

 stay kept on the leg. The horse is now at work and quite 

 sound, there being merely a little thickening, where the callus is 

 formed." 



Fracture of the hock. — This is not of frequent occurrence, 

 but verv difficult to treat, from the almost impossibility of finding 



