240 INJURIES. 



narian against giving any decided opinion early after the 

 accident. Tt not unfrequently happens^ often indeed with 

 bones closely embraced by muscle or tendon, that displace- 

 ment of the fractured halves of the bone does not take 

 place for some time afterwards, either until the limb is put 

 in action again, or until abscess forms around the broken 

 ends, rendering them loose by detaching the parts in contact 

 with them. This might lead the young practitioner astray 

 with hopes of affecting proper union again ; whereas, in the 

 end, he will — should it prove one of the cyUndrical bones — 

 find the fractured ends riding one over the other, and all 

 prospects of anything but an unnatural union and terrible 

 shortening of the limb completely overthrown. (Vide 

 ' Veterinarian ' for 1848.) 



Hopeless Cases include comminuted and compound 

 fractures ; unreducible fractures of the simple class ; re- 

 peated displacements; indisposition to form callus. 



The Treativient of fractures is to be conducted on 

 three principles : 1st, to replace the broken portions in 

 their natural position ; 2dly, to maintain them in their 

 places until union is accomplished; 3dly, to prevent any 

 untoward symptom, or to counteract them if they should 

 supervene. 



Reduction is to be efiPected by processes of extension 

 counter -extension , and setting. Extension consists in pulling, 

 in a direction from the body, that portion of the fracture which 

 is most remote ; whilst, by counter-extension, that portion 

 which is nearest to the body is prevented following the other 

 portion of bone ; so that the two pieces are forced into a 

 straight line, in which position setting is readily effected. The 

 sooner reduction is attempted the less difficult of accom- 

 plishment it will prove. An erect posture is to be preferred 

 to a recumbent one : at least, there is so much danger in 

 casting under such circumstances, it should be avoided. 

 The transverse fracture is the most difficult to reduce, though 

 the most easy to retain in its place : the oblique fracture is 

 reduced with ease, but is beyond measure troublesome to 

 maintain in the proper position. 



