FRACTURES. 217 



by tlie organ of hearing-, it can scarcely be called a sound, for the 

 grating of the parts, as the rubbing takes place, is often more felt 

 than heard, but thei-e is no mistaking its import in cases favorable 

 for the apphcation of the test. The conditions in which it is not 

 available are those of incomplete fracture, in which the mobility 

 of the i:)arts is lacking ; and those in which the whole array of 

 phenomena are usually obscure. To obtain the benefit of this 

 pathognomonic sign requires deliberate, careful, and gentle man- 

 il^ulation. Sometimes the slightest movements will be sufficient 

 for its develoj)ment, after much rougher handling has failed to 

 discover it. Perhaj)s the failure in the latter case is due to a sort 

 of defensive spasmodic rigidity caused by the pain resulting from 

 the rude interference. 



More or less reactive fever is a usual accompaniment of a frac- 

 ture, and an ecchymosis of the j)arts is but a natural occurrence, 

 more easily discovered in animals possessing a light-colored and 

 delicate skin than in those of the opposite character. 



There are difficulties in the way of the diagnosis of an incom- 

 plete fracture, even sometimes when there is a degree of impair- 

 ment in the function of locomotion, with evidences of pain and 

 swelling at the seat of lesion. There should then be a careful 

 examination for the evidences of a blow or other violence sufficient 

 to account for the fracture, though very often a susj)icion of its 

 existence can only be converted into a certainty by a minute his- 

 tory of the patient if it can be obtained up to the moment of the 

 occurrence of the injury. A diagnosis ought not to be hastily 

 pronounced, and where good ground for suspicion exists it ought 

 not to be rejected upon any evidence less than the best. Serious 

 and fatal complications are too often recorded of the results fol- 

 lowing careless conclusions in similar cases, among which we may 

 refer to one instance of a complete fracture manifesting itself in 

 an animal during the act of rising up in his stall after a decision 

 had been pronounced that he had no fracture at all. 



Fractures are of course liable to comphcations, those esj)ecial- 

 ly, from the nature of the case, which are of a traumatic 

 character, such as extensive lacerations, tearing of tissues, punc- 

 tures, contusions, etc. But unless these are in communication 

 with the fracture itself, the indication is to treat them simply 

 as independent lesions uj)on the other parts of the body. A 

 traumatic emphysema will at times cause trouble, and abscesses, 



