BROKEN EIBS. 141 



In compound fracture — the only kind that the veterinarian 

 will be most likely called upon to attend, as in simple fracture 

 it is rarely necessary to do anything — it may be found that the 

 lung is wounded, and that the patient will be suffering from 

 pneumonia. It might be supposed that collapse of the lungs 

 would immediately occur upon the admission of air into the 

 cavity of the thorax ; but this does not take place to such an 

 extent as one might imagine. The air will be found to rush in 

 and out of the thorax through the wound at each respiratory 

 movement ; that is, it will rush in during expiration, and out 

 during inspiration. 



Treatment. — To find out if the lung is punctured, and if 

 the fragment or fragments of the bone are displaced, and to 

 replace them in their proper position. All this may be done 

 by introducing the finger into the wound, and by converting 

 the compound into simple fracture ; closing the external open- 

 ing by a good stiff plaster— the Burgundy or the common pitch 

 will do very well — to limit the movements of the chest by 

 a broad belt, and to watch carefully for signs of pleurisy and 

 pneumonia. 



If called upon immediately after the accident, purgatives 

 may be prescribed with advantage ; but should the case have 

 been neglected until inflammation of the pulmonary organs 

 begins to manifest itself, purgatives must be withheld, and 

 sedatives, as aconite, with the nitrate of potash, administered. 



The ribs may be fractured, and the skin not broken, but 

 when the subcutaneous tissues are bruised to a considerable 

 extent, it will be almost impossible to diagnose the fracture. It 

 may only be supposed to exist by the severity of the injury, 

 and by the animal perhaps manifesting symptoms of pleurisy. 

 It is a remarkable fact that broken ribs, when broken inwards, 

 although it must be at the risk of wounding the lungs, are 

 more readily repaired than when an opening is made externally; 

 this is due to the spores, or organic particles contained in the 

 atmosphere — being the germs of low forms of life discovered by 

 the microscope, causing putrescence and suppuration. This fact 

 will point out the importance of closing the wound of compound 

 fracture, and also of arresting suppuration, if it has already 

 commenced, by carbolic acid dressings. 



