FRACTUllf:S. 223 



fracture in such a manner as to restore a limb to its original per- 

 fection of movement. A fracture of a single bone of an extremity 

 in a breeding stallion or mare will not necessarily impair tbeii* 

 value as breeders. Other specifications under this head, though 

 pertinent and more or less interesting, may be omitted. 



Fourth. Age and temper are important factors of cure. A 

 young, growing, robust patient, whose vis vitm is active, is amen- 

 able to treatment which one with a waning constitution and past 

 mature energies would be unable to endure, and a docile, quiet 

 disposition will act co-operatively with remedial measures which 

 Avould be neutralized by the fractious opposition of a peevish and 

 intractable sufferer. 



The fulfillment of three indications is indispensable in all frac- 

 tures. The first is the reduction, or the replacement of the parts 

 as nearly as possible in their normal position. The second is theii* 

 retention in that position for a period sufficient for the formation 

 of the provisional callus, and the third, which in fact is but an in- 

 cident of the second, the careful avoidance of any accidents or 

 causes of miscarriage which might disturb the curative process. 



In reference to the first consideration, it must be remembered 

 that the accident may befall the patient at a distance from his 

 home, and his removal becomes the first duty to be attended to. 

 Of course this must be done as carefully as possible. If he can 

 be treated on the spot so much the better, though this is seldom 

 practicable, and the method of removal becomes the question call- 

 ing for settlement. But two ways present themselves — he must 

 either walk or be carried. If the first, it is needless to say that 

 every caution must be observed in order to obviate any additional 

 pain for the suffering animal, and to avoid any aggravation of the 

 injury. Led slo\vly, and with j^artial support if j^racticable, the 

 journey will not always involve untoward results. If he is carried 

 it must be by means of a wagon, a truck, or an ambulance ; the 

 latter being designed and adapted to the pm-jjose, would, of 

 course, be the preferable vehicle. As a precaution which should 

 never be overlooked, a temporary dressing should first be applied. 

 This may be so done as for the time to answer all the purpose of 

 the permanent adjustment and bandaging. "Without thus secur- 

 ing the patient, a fracture of an inferior degree may be trans- 

 formed to one of the severest kind, and, indeed, a curable changed 

 to an incurable injury. We recall a case in which a fast trotting 



