222 



OPERATIONS ON BONES. 



not conspicuously visible, as those of the ribs, where displace- 

 ments are either very limited or do not occur, the parts being kej^t 

 in situ by the nature of their position, the shape of the bones, the 

 articulations they form with the vertebrae, the sternum, or their 

 cartilages of prolongation ; those of transverse jDrocesses of the 

 lumbar vertebrae ; those of the bones of the face ; those of the ili- 

 um, and that of the coffin bones. To continue the category, they 

 are evidently curable when their position and the character of the 

 patient contribute to aid the treatment. Those of the cranium, 

 in the absence of cerebral lesions ; those of the jaws, of the ribs, 

 with displacement, of the hip, and those of the bone of the leg in 

 movable regions, but where their vertical position admits of per- 

 fect coaptation. 



On the contrary, a compound, complicated, or comminuted 

 fracture, in whatever region it may be situated, may be accounted 

 incurable. 



In treating fractures, time is an important element and " de- 

 lays are dangerous." Those of recent occurrence unite more easi- 

 ly and more regularly than older ones. 



Second. As a general rule, fractures are less serious in animals 

 of the smaller species than in those of more bulky dimensions. 

 This influence of sjiecies will be readily appreciated when we real- 

 ize that the difficulties involved in the treatment of the latter class 

 have hardly any existence in connection with the former. The 

 difference in weight and size, and consequent facility in handling, 

 and making the necessary applications of dressings and other aji- 

 pHances for the purj)ose of securing the indisjDensable immobility 

 of the parts, and usually a less degree of uneasiness in the de- 

 portment of the patients are considerations in this connection of 

 great weight. 



Third. In respect to the utilization of the animal, the most 

 obvious point in estimating the gra^'ity of the case in a fracture 

 accident is the certainty of the total loss of the services of the pa- 

 tient dm-ing treatment — certainly for a considerable period of 

 time, perhaps permanently. For example, the fracture of the jaw 

 of a steer just fattening for the shambles will involve a heavier 

 loss than a similar accident to a horse. Usually the fracture of 

 the bones of the extremities in a horse is a very serious casualty, 

 the more so proportionately as the higher region of the limb is 

 affected. In working animals it is exceedingly difficult to treat a 



