^^ 90 CAUSES, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT OF 



V>f fracture, keep the animal quiet for about ten da^s, after which 

 ^here is no great danger, as a general thing. 



Knee-joint is occasionally fractured ; may be from falling upon the 

 ground, but it is rare that it occurs in this way. It is generally from 

 concussion from galloping upon uneven ground ; stepping upon a cobble 

 stone, etc., or from carelessness in turning a horse out to run, after 

 having been stabled for some time. The knee bones may be literally 

 shattered to pieces. The animal cannot mark the limb ; stands with 

 it slightly flexed, and after a while extensive swelling takes place. In 

 such a case, destroy the animal ; but if only one bone is fractured, it 

 it not so easily detected. If you flex the joint,, the animal shows 

 pain. It may be treated with some success. Use a starch or plaster 

 of paris bandage, splints and slings ; but if more than two bones are 

 fractured, there is likely to be anchylosis, and treatment is not 

 attended with much success ; but the animal might do some work if 

 the joint is anchylosed. 



Hnnierns fracture of the external tuberosity, or from receiving a 

 kick, or from falling. If a small portion is detached, remove it. 



Metacarpal is usually fractured from direct injury, or from concus- 

 sion. It is generally easily diagnosed. If it is compound, it cannot 

 be treated ; but if simple, it may be treated with success. Keep quiet 

 and place in slings. The small metacarpal bones may be fractured, 

 and set up considerable irritation ; but reunion will generally take 

 place, if the animal is kept quiet. There is no necessity for putting 

 in slings. It may be caused by striking with the hind foot. The 

 animal is extremely lame ; in some cases you may detect crepitation. 

 There is a tendency to a bony deposit in such cases, and if it attains 

 any great size, you may apply a blister, but not as treatment for the 

 fracture. Sesamoid bones act as levers, and are sometimes fractured, 

 transversely. It usually occurs from muscular contraction, and is 

 most likely to occur in race or steeplechase horses. In cases of trans- 

 verse fracture, the limb descends very much, similar to break-down. 

 It might be necessary to treat in a mare or stallion. Get the parts in 

 position as well as you can, keep quiet, etc., and be careful in applying 

 a starch bandage, for great swelling will take place, and may produce 

 gangrene. A fracture here may occur without displacement, when 

 reunion will take place. There is necrosis of the sesamoid bones, 

 from injuring or cutting the tendons. It is very difficult to treat, as 

 there is great swelling, and sinuses are formed. 



Os-Snffraginis is frequently fractured. It may occur from direct 

 injury, but not so likely as in other bones. It is usually from concus- 

 sion. It may be produced in a horse just trotting or cantering along. 

 It may be treated with success, if simple ; but if compound or com- 

 minuted, it is best to destroy the animal. You may have difficulty in 

 diagnosing. There will be extreme lameness, but slight swelling and 

 crepitation, but in some cases you cannot detect crepitation. Keep 

 quiet and remove the shoe ; bandage with a starch or plaster of paris 

 bandage ; apply carefully, and then perhaps a splint on both sides of 

 the bone keeps it from turning to the sides ; but if it extends down in 

 an oblique direction, into the articulation, it is likely to produce 

 anchylosis and ringbone ; but this does not seriously interfere with 

 the action or work. 



Oscorona is rarely fractured, but fracture may be produced in the 

 same way as those given, and may be treated in the same way. 



Ospedis.— Any part of this may be fractured, and it is possible for 

 reunion to take place. The superior process is sometimes fractured, 



