274 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



will tend to prevent swelling, which is liable to occur, the result of 

 the dependent position in which the animal is forced by nature to 

 keep the injured limb. 



When plaster-of-Paris bandages are applied to a compound frac- 

 ture the injured part may be previously dressed with a small, thick 

 pad of cotton immediately over the wound. In applying the band- 

 age the operator may with a little care so arrange it as to keep the 

 folds of the bandages off the cotton, or have only a thin layer over 

 it, which may be easily cut out and the cotton removed, leaving a con- 

 venient opening through which to dress the wound without removing 

 the bandage. The ends of the bandage or other appliance should be 

 carefully watched to see that the skin does not become chafed, par- 

 ticularly at the lower end. If the bandage should become weak or 

 broken at any part, it may be strengthened without removal by 

 applying other bandages immediately over it. If swelling has taken 

 place before the bandage has been applied, there is liable to be some 

 loosening as it disappears, and even without the swelling there 

 may be a tendency of the bandage to slide downward. This may 

 be overcome by fastening it to a suspender attached to a surcingle 

 or passed over the body and attached to the opposite leg. If the 

 looseness can not be overcome in this way, the space may be filled by 

 pouring in a thin paste of plaster of Paris. A better method, how- 

 ever, is to remove the bandage and apply another. Owing to the 

 hardness of the bandage it will be removed with some difficulty. A 

 deep groove should be cut down completely through it on the oppo- 

 site sides. This may be done with a chisel and a small hammer if 

 the bandage is carefully held by an assistant so that the concussion 

 of the blows is not transmitted to the injured bones. The patient 

 should have a roomy stall, and should be tied b}'^ the head to prevent 

 any attempts to move around. In some cases slings have been used. 

 Ordinarily, however, they are not satisfactory in cattle practice, and 

 if applied should be for only a few days at a time, and with a view to 

 lessen the animal's disposition to lie down, rather than to prevent it. 

 When they are used continuously the pressure on the abdomen may 

 interfere with digestion and the general health of the animal. 



Modes of union. — The animal should be kept as quiet as possible 

 and given such feed^s will have a tendency to keep the bowels 

 slightly relaxed. The success of the operation depends chiefly on 

 the skill of the operator, but not alone in the selection and use of the 

 appliances, for as much attention must be given to subsequent man- 

 agement. The patients are restless, and a single awkward motion 

 may undo the work of weeks so far as the union of the parts of the 

 bone is concerned. Union takes place after the same process and, 

 if the conditions are favorable, with greater rapidity than in the 

 human being. The injury that caused the fracture is almost sure to 



