THE BONES— FRACTURES 87 



tapering gradually to the apex and wrapped in some soft material, 

 such as chamois leather, in order not to injure the nasal mucous 

 membrane, should be passed up one of the nostrils. Whilst this 

 is being passed with one hand, the fingers of the other hand 

 should be pressed against the apex of the peak, which should be steadily 

 raised. A charge applied to the skin over the nasal bone, and 

 extending for three or four inches above the line of fracture, will 

 generally be found to be effective in maintaining the broken piece 

 of bone in position, but if further assistance is necessary this may be 

 rendered by plugging the nostril with a roll of tow or cotton wool. 



The Pre-Maxillary Bone. — This bone consists of a body and two 

 processes, namely, the nasal and palatine. 



The body possesses three surfaces. The upper or labial surface is 

 convex and smooth, and in the living animal is related to the upper lip. 

 The inferior or buccal surface is concave and smooth, and in the recent 

 state is covered by the buccal mucous membrane. The remaining 

 surface is rough, and is that which is applied in the median line to the 

 corresponding surface of the opposite pre-maxillary bone. Transversely 

 across this surface runs a groove which, when the two pre-maxillary 

 bones come into apposition, forms, with the corresponding groove of 

 the opposite bone, the incisor foramen. Through this foramen the 

 incisor or palato-labial artery passes to supply the upper lip. 



The edge separating the labial and buccal surfaces carries alveoli 

 for three incisor teeth. 



The nasal process is an elongated rod, which extends upwards and 

 backwards from the body. Its internal and external surfaces are convex 

 and smooth, and blend with the greater part of the anterior surface, but 

 superiorly the latter is articulated to the nasal bone. Posteriorly the pro- 

 cess is articulated throughout its extent to the superior maxillary bone, and 

 near its junction with the body is the alveolus for the canine tooth. 



The palatine process or plate is flattened from before to behind. 

 It extends upwards from the body and forms a small portion of the 



