92 CAUSES, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT OF 



he cannot lie down, and it is best to place in slings, for if it is an 

 injury this is the proper treatment anyway. I had a case under 

 treatment ; the owner came and took him, anddrove him some dis- 

 tance to the waggon, and the bones separated. Placing in slings is 

 usually sufficient, but some recommend the use of splints and band- 

 ages. It is also recommended to use a tar cord ; wrap it around the 

 limb from the foot up over part injured. It must be watched, and if 

 swelling takes place, do not allow it to produce gangrene. 



Fibula. — This may be fractured from falling, or from a kick. It is 

 difficult to detect ; you must judge by the great pain, difficulty in 

 extending the limb, and the lameness, which you must locate by the 

 action, the swelling, etc. It is covered well with muscle, and so 

 crepitation is difficult. It generally terminates favourably. Place in 

 a nice box if he can get up, or if he cannot get up place in slings. It 

 generally takes about three months for it to get well. 



Hock. — Fracture of these bones occur occasionally, especially of 

 the cudiform bones. It may result from a kick, and have open joint 

 with it, and it may be the result of concussion or sprain. In this 

 case there is usually laceration of the ligaments. You may detect 

 crepitation ; keep quiet, etc. There will generally be a bony deposit, 

 which you may call spavin. 



Astrag'alus. — If it is fractured there is little use in treating. 



Os-Calcis is sometimes fractured ; from severe exertion, generally. 

 It is difficult to treat, especially if separated. Place in slings, keep 

 quiet, etc. Fractures below the hock occur in the same way as in the 

 fore extremities, and are treated just the same way, but the treatment 

 is more difficult in the hind limb. 



Lower Jaw. — It is frequently injured by the action of the bit, 

 either from pulling on it or from the driver jerking, etc The inferior 

 portion is injured by the curb, the superior by the bit, or the jaw may 

 be fractured by the action of a curb and bit. But is not generally 

 fractured, but irritation is set up, and the inflammatory action is 

 kept up, and caries and necrosis are usual. The symptoms are very 

 well marked ; if the irritation is kept up for some time on the outer 

 part, there may be necrosis. In such cases there will be extensive 

 swelling, exudation, etc. 



Treatment. — Cut in and remove the diseased parts, or it may be 

 necessary to trephine, but it is generally pretty easy to break down 

 the exudation without trephining. Remove any detached particles, 

 or the superior portion may be affected, giving rise to a flow of saliva 

 from the mouth. The treatment is just the same. There may be 

 spicula of bone coming out from necrosis, and not be the result of 

 fracture, but of the inflammation followed by necrosis. Remove the 

 particles, bathe nicely, feed upon soft food for a few days, and it may 

 be necessary to touch the parts with a hydrochloric acid to bring 

 about a healthy action. 



Nasal Bones. — These are occasionally fractured, usually from an 

 animal coming in contact with some obstacle, as in running away, 

 falling, or colliding with another animal, etc. The treatment must 

 vary according to the injury. If but slight, and the bones not 

 depressed to any extent, just keep the animal quiet for a few days ; 

 but if the bones are depressed so as to interfere with respiration, 

 raise the bones by means of a probe, and then use an adhesive plaster 

 of Burgundy pitch. Or the bones may be literally shattered and not 

 displaced to any extent, and are easily put in position ; but if not put 

 in position, necrosis is apt to take place. 



