132 PARTICULAR FRACTURES. 



large branches, with subcutaneous haemorrhage, causing great 

 engorgement of this part of the limb, and rendering the detec- 

 tion of crepitus an impossibility. But the practitioner need not 

 hesitate in arriving at a correct diagnosis, as the pendulous leg, 

 inability to place any weight upon it, and the sudden engorge- 

 ment are quite sufficient to prove the existence of the fracture. 



This fracture may arise from muscular action ; but commonly 

 it is caused by falls. One case, however, has come under my 

 notice, where it aro3e from fragility of a portion of the shaft of 

 the bone, from its being continually brought into contact witli 

 the carriage pole. 



The animal was a very fine carriage horse, one of a pair, with 

 splendid and fast action. Shortly before the final catastrophe 

 he showed signs of a slight lameness, attributable to the shoulder ; 

 with short rest and treatment he recovered, and was put to work, 

 at which he continued for some little time. Wliilst out one day, 

 and upon a very level road, that between Bingley and Keighley, 

 in Yorkshire, and going at a good pace, he suddenly fell — the 

 leg completely giving way — bringing the other horse, carriage 

 and all, to the ground. He could not rise, the humerus was 

 fractured, and, upon examination, it was found to be in a state 

 of degenerative disease just at the part which was on a level 

 with the carriage pole. 



The condyles of the humerus are occasionally fractured, and, 

 as a rule, they never reunite, the reason being the impossibility of 

 keeping the limb in a state of complete rest. 



The radius and ulna are fractured by direct violence, and the 

 olecranon by muscular contraction. In dogs this fracture is not 

 at all uncommon ; and, if properly fixed with bandages, generally 

 recover without leaving much lameness. I have noticed one 

 case of dislocation of the elbow-joint, accompanied by rupture of 

 the internal lateral ligament ; although treated for some time, it 

 did no good, and was ultimately destroyed. The dislocation was 

 easily reduced, and bound up very firmly ; but owing to diseased 

 action having taken place in the joint, it was seen that anchylosis 

 would be the result. In the case of a brood mare, or valuable 

 stallion, cases of this kind might very justly be treated ; but in 

 horses required for work it will be better to order the patient to 

 be put out of pain, as a horse with a stiff elbow is of little use. 

 A dislocation is easily distinguished from fracture, as in the one 



