254 



OPERATIONS ON BONES. 



Fig. 277.— Fracture of the 

 Tibia. 



Fig. 278.— Bourgelat'B Irou Splint for 

 Fractured Tibia. 



ered at the point of the injury, the part being warm, swollen, and 

 painful. What further proof is necessary ? Is it not evident that 

 a fracture has occurred, first superficial — a mere split in the bony 

 structure which, fortunately, has been discovered before some 

 extra exertion or a casual misstep had developed it into one of the 

 complete kind, possibly with complications? "What other infer- 

 ence can such a series of symptoms thus repeated establish? 



The prognosis of fracture of the tibia must, as a rule, be un- 

 favorable. The difficulty of obtaining a union without shortening 

 and consequently without lameness, is proof of the futility of or- 

 dinary attempts at treatment. But though this may be true in 

 respect to fractures of the complete kind, it is not necessarily so 

 with the incomplete variety, and with this class the simple treat- 

 ment of the slings is all that is necessary to secure consolidation. 

 A few weeks of this confinement wiU be sufficient. 



With dogs and other small animals, there are cases which may 

 be successfully treated. If the necessary dressings can be success- 

 fully appHed and retained, a recovery will follow. 



