94' PAETICULAR FRACTURES. 



is not to "be done unless it is loose, as it may be of great service 

 in securing the bone in its position, as already shown. The 

 presence of such a fracture, if simple, will be indicated by 

 tenderness, and perhaps crepitation ; if compound, its condition 

 is detected by exploration of the wound. If the fracture extends 

 through the jaw, with displacement, there will be deformity, in 

 addition to the other symptoms. 



I have never seen a simple fracture of this part, but such a 

 thing may occur ; the most common form, however, is that of 

 a compound comminuted fracture of the external surface only ; 

 the alveolus and contained tooth, by breaking the concussive 

 shock, prevent the fracture from extending to the internal 

 surface. Presuming, how^ever, that the fracture is complete, 

 it may be single or double, with displacement. If simple, 

 replacement, adjustment, and retention of the disunited parts, 

 in their proper position are the means to be resorted to; if 

 compound and comminuted, the removal of all loose fragments 

 must be the first proceeding. In order to do this effectually, 

 it will often be necessary to enlarge the wound, and, provided 

 there is no previous disease of the bone, a cure may confidently 

 be looked for. 



When the broken ends are brought together, means calculated 

 to retain them in their proper position must be resorted to. 

 If the injury is near the symphysis, the copper wire and band- 

 ages already recommended will be sufficient ; but if situated 

 posterior to the tush, something more than this is required. 

 Professor Varnell, in the Veterinarian for 1866, recommends 

 a cradle made as follows : — " The cradle will be from fifteen to 

 eighteen inches long ; it should extend as far back as the angle 

 of the lower jaw, and as far forward as to be within an inch of 

 the anterior margin of the lower lip. Its sides should turn up, 

 so as to embrace the outer surfaces of each branch of the bone, 

 and be on a line with the upper margin of the under lip, beyond 

 which they should rise to within a short distance of the zygo- 

 matic ridges. Posteriorly, it should incline upw^ards and back- 

 wards ; the centre of its underneath surface should be pushed 

 upwards, forming thereby a ridge, which is to fill up the space 

 between the rami as far forward as the symphysis of the jaw- 

 bone. Its angles must be rounded off, and its borders perfor- 

 ated by holes or slits, so as to enable the operator to apply 



