SPLINTS FOR FRACTURE OF THE LOWER JAW. 345 



suitable splint and giving nourishment through an oesophageal cannula. 

 The case recovered rapidly. Fractures of the articulatory process, 

 or in its neighbourhood, are the most serious. Those of the coronoid 

 process unite, but sometimes by the formation of a callus fibrosus. 

 Compound fractures of the lower jaw often prove very troublesome, 

 but are not always incurable, as recorded instances show. Nor can 

 fractures of the articulatory process be regarded as hopeless, since 

 Frohner has shown that recovery may follow resection of the maxillary 

 joint. 



Treatment in simple one-sided fracture consists merely in the 

 administration of soft food. Dislocated fragments must be brought 

 into position. As long as the fracture remains confined to one branch 

 no mechanical appliance is necessary ; but when double-sided, con- 



Fig. 327. — Fracture of the lower jaw united by wiring. 



siderable ingenuity is required. Prince recommends a wedge-shaped 

 splint of wood, which fits into the submaxillary space, and is fastened 

 with straps passed over the animal's neck and head. In small 

 patients, and in valuable large animals, a similar splint formed of 

 gutta-percha is pressed into the space whilst soft, so as to form an 

 exact reproduction of it ; its posterior broad end is supported against 

 the animal's throat. Another arrangement is due to Mazza. Girard 

 arranged two bars of iron, bound together at an angle, corresponding 

 to the direction of the posterior borders of the lower jaw, and 

 carrying at their point of union a spoon-shaped extension for sup- 

 porting the chin. The other ends were provided with rings for 

 attachment to the halter or to a neck strap, while a strap passed 

 over the animal's nose, about half-way up, secured the under portion 

 of the splint in place. Instead of rods, Marrel used a gutter-like splint, 



