94 CAUSES, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT OP 



Basilar Process of the occipital bone. Fracture of this occurs from 

 striking the occipital crest, which fractures not the crest, but the basilar 

 process. As a general thing it is speedily followed by death. But it is 

 possible for it to occur and produce concussion, and the animal recover. 

 It is not uncommon to find an animal killed from rearing and falling 

 back, and striking the occipital crest. By opening the mouth you can 

 perhaps detect it. 



Lower Jaw may be fractured in various ways— from being kicked, 

 getting fast. etc. It is a serious injury ; but we meet cases where reunion 

 will take place if it is a simple fracture. Feed upon sloppy food, just 

 enough to sustain life without calling the muscles into action. Use any 

 means of keeping the bones in position. Some advise what is called a 

 cradle, which is just made to fit the jaw. It may be made of gutta 

 percha or of bass wood. It is necessary to apply it to the sound side as 

 well as to the affected one. Pad the cradle nicely with tow or cotton. 

 The porous substance, I think, is preferable, as by heating it can be 

 brought to the exact shape of the jaw. It is necessary to keep the cradle 

 in position, which is done by straps, one behind and one in front of the 

 ears, and an elastic one lower down, so as to allow the action of the 

 muscles, and exercise your ingenuity the best you can. If the bones are 

 not misplaced, treatment is not so difficult. In fracture of the nasal 

 bones, it is sometimes necessary to insert a plug, but only on one side, as 

 the horse can breathe only through the nose. Either of the maxillary 

 bones may be fractured, in about the regions of the incisors, possibly, 

 but rarely, from falling, but it may be done from getting fast. If it is 

 but simple, keep the bones in position, keep quiet, feed upon sloppy food, 

 and give but little food for a few days, and apply a small bandage around 

 the under jaw. A piece may be almost detached, in which case it is 

 generally best to remove it, even two or three alveolar cavities. 



Head of the Ox. — It differs in arrangement of the bones. The ox 

 uses his head for offence and defence, and the bones are stronger. The 

 crest is formed of the frontal in the ox, and in the horse it is formed of 

 the occipital. There are numerous sinuses, and the brain is more pro- 

 tected than in the horse. Extending from the frontal bones are the supra- 

 orbital processes. Fracture may occur in connection with these parts, or 

 of the frontal bones, but it is extremely rare. But the flints are often 

 injured. The first appearance of a horn or flint is about the fourth or 

 fifth month of gestation, and about the ninth month there are small pro- 

 tuberances, which puncture the skin, and they grow until the animal is 

 about three years old or more, and in some cases gain a considerable 

 size, and are absent in some cases. It is supposed that at one time all 

 breeds had horns, but by certain modes of breeding the poll cattle 

 were produced. Texas cattle have enormously developed horns. In 

 Abyssinia they gain a great size, and some cattle are raised for the 

 horns. The growth of horn interferes with the development of the 

 body. The food take a goes to develop horn. The horns are largely 

 supplied with blood vessels, so that in examining we place the hand 

 at the root of the horn to asceitain the state of the circulation. It is a 

 very tender part. A slight blow upon the horn produces great pain. The 

 horn may be completely knocked off, and this may be followed by con- 

 siderable hemorrhage, which can be reduced by bandaging and using 

 styptics, as iron or acetate of lead. A tar bindage is recomiiended, but 

 it may interfere with the development of the new horn. A new horn is 

 sometimes pretty well developed— blood is extravasated, and, by and by, 

 absorbed, and horn is produced. There may be fracture and no displace- 

 ment. In fracture, get the parts into position, and keep them in position. 



