FRACTURES. 189 



Professor Smith says : * A case came under my observation 

 where the fracture was treated for nine weeks. The animal 

 seemed to be getting well. The owner took him out and 

 rode him, and in two hours complete fracture with separa- 

 tion occurred. If the animal had been rested a month 

 longer he would have been cured. 



Fibula. — Fracture of the fibula gives rise to troublesome 

 lameness. 



Symptoms. — Obstinate lameness. No swelling, heat, or 

 other sign can be detected which will enable one to diag- 

 nose it with certainty. 



Treatment. — Tie the animal up, and do not let him lie 

 down. Foment, bandage, etc., and in six or eight weeks 

 recovery may be expected. 



Os Naviculaire. — Is sometimes fractured by concussion, 

 punctures, etc. ; hard to diagnose in a neurotomized foot. 

 ComjDlete recovery never occurs. 



Tarsus. — Fracture of one or more of the tarsal-bones 

 frequently occurs, and is caused in various ways. Fracture 

 of the cuneiform bones may be caused by hard galloping, 

 pulling up very short, turning suddenly, etc. 

 • Symptoms. — There is great lameness and much pain, 

 accompanied by heat, swelling, and sometimes crepitus. In 

 other cases crepitus is not discoverable. 



Treatment. — The history of the case should be ascertained, 

 that is, the practitioner should endeavour to find out how 

 the accident occurred, as such knowledge will materially 

 assist in making a correct diagnosis. The animal should be 

 placed in slings, and hot and cold applications used freely 

 over the part. Perfect quietude should be enjoined, the 

 patient should be dieted, and all unfavourable symptoms 

 met and combated as they appear. In a short time an 

 osseous deposit will be thrown out, and, as a rule, a pretty 

 good recovery will be the result. 



