308 ARTICULAR RHEUMATISM POLYARTHRITIS 



FRACTURE OF BONES. 



As a result of injuries from various causes small animals 

 are particularly prone to fractures of different kinds. The 

 number of fractures and the bones affected are much greater 

 than in the large animals. All kinds of fractures (partial, 

 complete, compound, or comminuted) are observed. The 

 larger number of fractures naturally take place in the extrem- 

 ities, although fractures of the skull bones, inferior maxilla, 

 ribs and vertebrte are not uncommon. The causes of frac- 

 tures are varied, but the greater number of cases result from 

 traumatism (being run over by vehicles, kicks, falls, jump- 

 ing, gunshot wounds, bites from other animals). In a few 

 cases extreme muscular contraction will fracture the bones. 

 Various diseases of the bones, and senility predispose to 

 fractures. The following are the more common fractures 

 met with : 



Cranial Bones. This form of fracture occurs occasionally 

 in dogs. The writer has observed six cases during the past 

 ten years. 



Etiology. Practically always results from traumatism. 

 Being struck by sharp or blunt objects, run over by automo- 

 biles, kicks, etc., are the most frequent causes. 



Symptoms. Various kinds and degrees of fractures are 

 recognized, from a simple fissuring of the bones to penetrat- 

 ing, depressed or compound comminuted fractures. The 

 symptoms vary with the degree and kind of fracture. Simple 

 fissuring of the bones may not produce any marked symptoms 

 unless the concussion has been sufficient to cause hemorrhage 

 or injury to the membranes of the brain. The presence of the 

 wound and on pressure slight movement between the bones 

 may be observed. Penetrating wounds with fracture often 

 produce complications of hemorrhage into the cranial cavity 

 or direct injury to the structures within. Examination of the 

 external wound and carefully probing will at once disclose 

 the actual conditions. Fractures with depression of a frag- 

 ment of bone cause more or less brain disturbance depending 

 upon the location of the fracture. The psychical disturb- 



