96 PARTICULAR FRACTURES. 



any method fill up the submaxillary space, we shall overcome 

 this difficulty. The pad {a) in Mr. Walker's cradle answers this 

 purpose ; and the flanged plates (h) resting on the molar teeth 

 render displacement of the fragments almost an impossibility, 

 whilst every freedom is allowed to the natural movements of 

 tlie jaw. 



It must be borne in mind that the adjustment of the fractured 

 parts must be made with great care, in order that the molar 

 teeth may meet those in the upper jaw as evenly as possible ; 

 otherwise the process of mastication will afterwards be imper- 

 fect. If any teeth are loosened in their sockets, they must be 

 removed, as they, by acting as foreign bodies, and preventing 

 tlie proper adjustment of the fractured ends of the bone, retard 

 the process of union. In addition to these means, the unin- 

 jured teeth may be fastened together by the copper wire. If 

 the injury has been in existence for a day or two, with swell- 

 ing, and perhaps systemic disturbance, it will be necessary to 

 remove these symptoms, as well as to adjust the broken bone. 

 Apply fomentations to the part, and give a dose of purgative 

 medicine. Motion of the jaw must, for some days, be prevented 

 as much as possible, supporting the animal during this time by 

 a loose, nourishing diet, such us bran-mashes, boiled linseed, and 

 gruel. If the formation of callus seems retarded from any cause, 

 milk may be allowed — of which the horse will drink freely — and 

 thick oatmeal porridge. In fact the strength of the animal must 

 be kept up without causing the jaw to perform any hard labour. 

 The practitioner will at once see the importance of this. There 

 is one other thing in connection with the treatment of aU kinds 

 of fractures of the bones of the mouth that I must insist upon 

 as being most important, namely, that all food be given in a 

 wide-bottomed and shallow manger or tub. If the manger is 

 narrow and deep, displacement of the bones, from the efforts of 

 the patient to get at the food, is sure to result. 



All pieces that are separated from the body of the bone, as 

 well as those denuded of periosteum — even if attached by one 

 end — partly split off, as it were — must be removed, either 

 with the common or bone forceps ; and the wound must tlien 

 be covered by fine tow dipped in a weak solution of carbolic 

 acid ; a hole, as already described, being left in the mould for 

 the purpose of renewing this dressing, and for cleansing the 



