DISEASES OF HORSES 227 



of the animal, or for its readaptation in consequence of the atrophy 

 of the limb from want of use. Owners of animals are often tempted 

 to remove a splint or bandage prematurely at the risk of producing 

 a second fracture in consequence of the failure of the callus properly 

 to consolidate. 



The method of applying the splints which we have described 

 refers to the simple variety only. In a compound case the same 

 rules must be observed, with the modification of leaving openings 

 through the thickness of the dressing, opposite the wound, in order 

 to permit the escape of pus and to secure access to the points requir- 

 ing the application of treatment. 



FRACTURE OF THE RIBS. 



The different regions of the chest are not equally exposed to the 

 violence to which fractures of the ribs are due, and they are therefore 

 either more common or more easily discovered during life at some 

 points than at others. The more exposed regions are the middle and 

 the posterior, while the front is largely covered and defended by the 

 shoulder. A single rib may be the seat of fracture, or a number 

 may be involved, and there may be injuries on both sides of the 

 chest at the same time. It may take place lengthwise, in any part 

 of the bone, though the middle, being the most exposed, is the most 

 frequently hurt. Incomplete fractures are usually lengthwise, in- 

 volving a portion only of the thickness or one or other of the sur- 

 faces. The complete kind may be either transverse or oblique, and 

 are most commonly denticulated. The fracture may be commin- 

 uted, and a single bone may show one of the complete and one of the 

 incomplete kind at different points. The extent of surface presented 

 by the thoracic region, with its complete exposure at all points, ex- 

 plains the liability of the ribs to suffer from all the forms of external 

 violence. 



Symptoms. In many instances fractures of these bones con- 

 tinue undiscovered, especially the incomplete variety, without dis- 

 placement, though the evidences of local pain, a certain amount of 

 swelling, and a degree of disturbance of the respiration, if noticed 

 during the examination of a patient, may suggest a suspicion of their 

 existence. Abnormal mobility and crepitation are difficult of detec- 

 tion, even when present, and they are not always present. When 

 there is displacement the deformity which it occasions will betray 

 the fact, and when such an injury exists the surgeon will, of course, 

 become vigilant, in view of possible and probable complications of 

 thoracic trouble, and prepare himself for an encounter with a case 

 of traumatic pleuritis or pneumonia. Fatal injuries of the heart are 

 recorded. 



Treatment. Fractures with but a slight or no displacement 

 need no reduction. All that is necessary is a simple application of a 

 blistering nature as a preventive of inflammation or for its subjuga- 

 tion when present, and in order to excite an exudation which will 

 tend to aid in the support and immobilization of the parts. At times, 

 however, a better effect is obtained by the application of a bandage 



