FRACTURES. 191 



remove any teeth that are loosened, bring the soft parts 

 together as well as possible, and apply a light calico bandage. 

 Bind with wire, and support the patient on liquid food for 

 several days afterwards. If the inferior maxilla be frac- 

 tured, the treatment is about the same. In case the patient 

 be a male, the presence of the canine teeth will be of material 

 assistance, as they serve to support the wire used in retain- 

 ing the fractured parts in position. The patient should be 

 fed from a shallow vessel, and supported on a liquid or soft 

 diet for several days. Care is to be taken that the frac- 

 tured portions do not again separate, and, if no untoward 

 accident happens, recovery will take place in a very short 

 time. 



Lower Jaw.— The lower jaw is often injured by the 

 action of the bit, especially if a powerful curb bit is used 

 and the animal hard to restrain. The superficial layer of 

 the bone may l)e fractured, which may set up caries, and 

 result in necrosis. Any small particles of diseased or de- 

 tached bone must, of course, be removed. 



Sym])toms. — There is a drivelling of saliva, swelling of the 

 mucous membrane occurs, and there is considerable heat of 

 the part. The animal also manifests a considerable amount 

 of pain and annoyance. The treatment is to open up the 

 parts and remove any diseased bone that may be found. 

 The other jaw maybe affected in the same v^^ay, and similar 

 symptoms shown. The treatment is the same. Sometimes 

 abscesses form in these parts, and sinuses may be discovered 

 and a pretty free discharge established. 



Ramus of the Lower Jaw. — Fractures of the ramus of the 

 lower jaw may be caused by blows, falls, kicks, etc. 



Sym2)foms. — Mastication is rendered difficult, or even im- 

 possible. There is considerable swelling, and on manipu- 

 lating the parts crepitation may be heard. 



Treatment. — Bring the parts into position, and endeavour 



