176 THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



account of the trouble in applying and retaining splints and 

 other appliances, also on account of the difficulty in keeping 

 the patient quiet. Generally speaking, if the animal be one 

 of small value the practitioner had better advise its destruc- 

 tion. On the other hand, if the animal be a valuable one 

 it may be worth while to treat the case. As a general thing 

 compound fractures cannot be treated successfully. Having 

 examined the case and decided that fracture is present, the 

 practitioner must endeavour to bring the fractured ends of 

 the bone into position, and the sooner this is attempted 

 the easier it will be to effect. Having done this, splints 

 must be applied in such a manner as to retain the fractured 

 ends in complete apposition. Bandages may also be applied, 

 being formed of cotton or calico stiffened with starch, or 

 plaster of Paris, and care should be taken to secure bandages 

 of the proper size as regards width and length. The 

 bandage should be dipped into, or have poured upon it 

 as it is being applied, starch, or plaster of Paris, either 

 of which, on setting, or becoming dry, forms a per- 

 fectly reliable and unyielding bandage, which being, as 

 it were, moulded to the parts, is not likely to cause any 

 undue irritation or feeling of discomfort to the patient. 

 Leather may also be used for splints : a nice appliance is a 

 sort of felt that can now be obtained, which on soaking a 

 few minutes in warm water becomes perfectly pliable, and 

 can be moulded to the shape of the part, and on cooling 

 becomes perfectly stiff and unyielding. The animal should 

 be placed in slings if the fracture be in one of the limbs ; 

 if fracture of the pelvis occurs, nothing can be done except 

 to keep the patient perfectly quiet, and assist nature as 

 much as possible, and nature sometimes effects wonderful 

 cures. 



Modes of Union. — The mode of union, as well as the 

 length of time occupied in repair, depends to a great extent 



