70 THE SURGICAL ANATOMY OF THE HORSE 



from one which follows sprain of the joint or ligaments, for the swelling 

 under consideration is much firmer, and becomes more confined to a 

 particular part of the bone. 



Occasionally the tuberous, buttress-like processes on the os suffraginis 

 are broken off. There is little difficulty in diagnosing these cases, on 

 account of the relaxation of the lateral ligaments which are attached to 

 the processes, and the consequent greater degree of lateral movement in 

 the joint which is permitted. 



Cases of simple split pastern confined to the os suffraginis usually do 

 well, and complete recovery is common. 



At first a dry bandage should be applied, and over this a plaster 

 bandage, when the animal should be placed in slings. No attempt 

 should be made to remove the bandage for from six to seven weeks, the 

 animal remaining in slings. After the removal of the bandage the part 

 should be blistered. 



Prognosis is most unfavourable in comminuted fractures, and par- 

 ticularly so when they are compound, and in the majority of cases 

 slaughter is to be advised. 



EXOSTOSES ON THE PASTERN BONES 



Exostoses on the pastern bones are common, and particularly on the 

 OS suffraginis. They may occur along the line of a fracture, when they 

 are more or less elongated, but most frequently they are found near the 

 insertions of the ligaments into the bone. [A description of the ligaments 

 and their insertions will be found in the Chapter on Joints.] The latter 

 are somewhat nodular, with circumscribed bases. Those exostoses which 

 occur along the line of a fracture usually extend into the articulation, 

 and are therefore frequently complicated by the presence of a true ring- 

 bone. Those which form near the insertions of ligaments are most 

 commonly found in animals with long, weak pasterns, and it will be 



