FEACTURE OF THE TIBIA. 129 



to destroy the suffering animal ; but in the young, and in cases 

 where treatment is insisted upon, the first step must be the 

 removal of any projecting bone by the bone forceps, and after- 

 wards traction, applied by means of cords to the hock and leg, 

 to produce extension ; in this way, and by proper manipulation, 

 the fragments may be approximated and retained in their 

 position by the means already described. 



FRACTURE OF THE TARSAL AND METATARSAL BONES. 



The Os Calcis. — Transverse fracture of this bone is caused by 

 muscular contraction, and by the slipping forward of the limb, thus 

 throwing the gastroc-nemius externus, which is attached to the 

 upper extremity, into an unduly extended condition, and the bone 

 suddenly giving way in preference to the tendon of attachment, or 

 the fracture may occur spontaneously when the bone is diseased. 

 This fracture is mostly seen in young horses, where the apophysis 

 is not completely solidified to the body of the bone. This 

 accident arises from the same causes as those which produce 

 " curb ; " in the one case, however, the bone is the structure to 

 give way, while in the other the calcaneo-cuboid ligament 

 receives the injury. 



Inspection of the limb will demonstrate a flatness of the 

 point of the hock, flaccidity of the tendo acliilles, with an 

 apparent shortening of the limb ; there is no shortening in 

 reality, but great difficulty in bringing the foot to the ground. 

 The lameness is very considerable ; manipulation will enable the 

 practitioner to discover the detached portion of bone resting in 

 front of the os calcis, in close contact with the flexor pedis 

 perforans, on the postero-internal aspect of the hock. It is 

 easily moved by the hand, and can be elevated almost into its 

 natural position. 



Treatment. — Apply a high-heeled shoe, then force the frag- 

 ment into its proper position, if practicable, or as nearly as 

 possible, retaining it there by pads of tow and bandages. The 

 tow must be made into firm pads or rolls, and pressed down in 

 front, and on both sides of the fragment, to prevent it from fall- 

 ing forwards. Over the dry bandage the starch bandage must 

 be carefully laid, extending from the foot over the hock as 

 high as possible, in order to keep the limb in a state of rigidity. 



K 



