THE LARGE METACARPAL BONE 55 



concavity of the curve directed forwards, after the manner of calf-kneed 

 animals. 



The method of treatment is to replace the fractured piece and pack 

 the back of the knee well with tow or cotton wool. A bandage is then 

 wound several times round the limb above the pisiform bone, and subse- 

 quently over the knee, in figure 8 fashion. A bandage so applied will 

 assist in keeping the broken piece of bone in position. A stable 

 bandage is now applied, and the patient should then be placed in 

 slings. 



Fracture of the remaining bones of the carpus occurs most frequently 

 in cases of very severe broken knees caused by animals stumbling and 

 falling. In such cases the fracture is compound, and if it is decided to 

 treat, the strictest antiseptic precautions must be taken. A common 

 result in these cases is ossification of the bone to its neighbours, a result 

 which is particularly objectionable when the bones of the upper row are 

 involved, as the animal is usually left with a stiff knee. Ossification 

 may, however, occur between the bones of the lower row and the 

 metacarpus without interfering to any considerable extent with flexion 

 and extension of the knee joint. 



THE LARGE METACARPAL BONE 



This bone extends from the knee to the fetlock in a direction which 

 is almost vertical. It belongs to the class of long bones, and possesses 

 a shaft and two extremities. 



It differs from the other weight-bearing long bones which we have 

 described, inasmuch as its shaft is much more slender, but in accordance 

 with the great strain thrown upon this bone in supporting the weight 

 of the body, as a compensation for the comparatively small diameter of 

 the shaft, we find that it is made up of a preponderance of compact 

 tissue. 



