214 POULTRY DISEASES 



around and between the fragments and between the ends of the com- 

 pact portion of the bone and had also invaded, to a certain extent, 

 the marrow cavity The fluid at this time did not give evidence of 

 advance organization and was rather jelly-like allowing the frac- 

 tured ends of the bone to fall apart by slight traction. There was 

 present the initial hyperemia of repair. This hyperemia was most 

 marked in the periosteum. Leukocytes had invaded this part, as 

 shown by microscopic examination. Proliferative changes had taken 

 place in the connective tissue and in fact this was observed in cases 

 of only forty-eight hours' standing. The most active cellular multi- 

 plication was in connection with the fibrous structure of the perios- 

 teum. This forms the germinative or reparative tissue from which 

 arises the osteoblasts. The nature of the new formed structure was 

 that of connective tissue and is plainly shown in the photomicro- 

 graphs. The first picture shows the commencement of this organi- 

 zation into trabecular-like arrangement forming the periosteal callus 

 and the provisional plug. It can be seen that this had been formed 

 and poured out from the periosteum. This field showed many fibro- 

 blasts and was packed with osteoblasts and osteoclasts and in still 

 other fields of the trabeculae a homogeneous matrix with formative 

 bone cells in their lacunae. The repair was apparently one of intra- 

 membranous bone formation with islands of newly formed bone at 

 the end of the fifth day. 



Another study of a fractured metatarsus of thirteen days' standing 

 was in a one-year-old single comb White Leghorn hen, that was oi 

 low vitality and the reparative processes were more tardy than in 

 section of a similar case in which the bird was in a good state of 

 health. After the metatarsus was removed it could, with consider- 

 able force, be made to spring, which was not the case with the latter 

 specimen. Both birds showed the reparative processes far enough 

 advanced to have the cast removed with safety. 



From these two studies it is rather indicative that repair in the 

 bone of the domestic fowl is quite rapid and that two weeks is ample 

 time to allow the bandage or cast to remain on. The illustrations, 

 both photographic and photomicrographic, show the provisional, 

 intermediary calluses and the provisional plug. 



III. The Treatment of Fractures and Care of the Bird 



In simple or so-called subcutaneous fracture of bones the 

 fragments of the bone should be placed in perfect apposi- 

 tion. The normal shape of the bone should be restored as far 

 as possible. The loose arrangement of the muscles in the 

 fowls makes this an easy task. 



The next step is to apply an apparatus holding the parts 

 firmly in place wliile the reparative processes are being ac- 

 complished. \n applying the apparatus, circulation must 

 not be interfered with and nerves must be safeguarded. After 

 the setting is complete the ])ird nuist be provided with a 

 clean coop and a grassy run where other l)irds cannot inter- 

 fere. Good food and water should be provided and an occa 

 sional examination made to determine if all is well with the 

 bone undergoing repair. 



If the fracture is on a feathered part, the feathers that are 



