136 



PAETICULAK FRACTURES. 



Simple fractures of the pastern bones, even when the joint is 

 involved, make good recoveries when properly treated by band- 

 ages, splints, and rest in the slings. 



Split pastern is of common occurrence. 



The diagnostic signs of this are very sudden and severe lame- 

 ness, occurring when the animal is upon a hard road ; the lesion 

 arising from concussion. 



Sometimes crepitus can be detected, but very often this is 

 absent, from the fact that the bone is bound most securely by un- 

 yielding ligaments. The suffragines are most commonly broken, 

 but it is not a rare thing to find the coronce fractured also. 



Fig. 13.— Perpendicular split 

 through the central groove on the 

 upper extremity of os sufFraginis. 



Fig. 14. — Irregular fracture of 

 upper extremity of os suffraginis. 



Wlien one bone only is broken, recovery is the rule, although 

 the articulation may be involved. 



In the course of a day or two after the accident, the pastern 

 will swell, and the swelling is of a hard, unyielding character. 

 This is a favourable sign, as it indicates the formation of plastic 

 lymph in the part, and the commencement of the process of repair. 



There is no necessity for very firm bandaging, especially if 

 crepitus be absent. The shoe should be carefully removed, and 

 the horse allowed to stand with the lame foot upon sawdust, or 

 some material which will adapt itself to the form and peculiari- 

 ties of the position of the foot. The toe of the foot will only 

 toucli the level ground, and it will be a great relief to the horse 

 if the material he stands upon will allow the heel also to be 

 supported. In about two or three months, depending upon the 

 progress of the case, if the injury be to a fore extremity, the 

 slings may be removed ; but if it be a hind leg, the slings must 

 be made use of for a longer period. 



