282 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



erally associated with other injury and serious complications. Dis- 

 phicement does not generally occur to any considerable extent. The 

 treatment, of course, consists in holding the limb perfectly quiet 

 in a natural position, which may be done by the application of long, 

 wooden splints retained by bandages, or a plaster-of -Paris bandage. 



Fractukes beloav the knee. — Fracture of the long bone below the 

 knee (metacarpus) and hock (metatarsus) is more common. In 

 young animals of quiet temperament the treatment of simple frac- 

 tures here is likely to be attended Avith good results. On the other 

 hand, a compound fracture in this region becomes a serious matter. 

 The structures which surround the bones are so thin that a Aery small 

 degree of sloughing will expose parts of the bones and be liable to 

 lead to serious comi^lications and probably fatal results. 



Fractures of bones below the fetlock. — ^These fractures are com- 

 paratively unimportant unless associated with other serious injury. 

 The parts can generally be held in position without much difficulty, 

 and union generally takes place quite rapidly. 



Appliances. — Of the appliances used in the treatment of the frac- 

 ture of limbs above the knee, splints made of wood or iron strips and 

 bandages are likely to serve best. Below the knee plaster-of-Paris 

 bandages are preferable. The writer is well aware that many of 

 the standard authors deprecate the use of the latter, but an extensive 

 experience leads me to believe that they have many advantages over 

 any of the other appliances when used alone, and in many ways they 

 may be used Avith adA^antage in combination Avith others. 



DISLOCATIONS. 



Luxation, or displacement without fracture of the bones form- 

 ing a joint, is comparatively rare among cattle. It most frequently 

 occurs in the stifle joint, where dislocation of the kneepan (patella) 

 takes place. A glance at the skeleton (PI. XXV) will show the rela- 

 tions better than they can be described. It will be observed that 

 the small, irregularly shaped bone (patella) plays on the anterior 

 rounded part of the lower edge of the thigh bone (femur) and be- 

 tween it and the upper end of the shank bone (tibia). The outer 

 ridge on the lower end of the thigh bone is less prominent than the 

 inner one, so that displacement, when it does take place, is by slip- 

 ping outAvard. Such an accident may occur from direct injury or 

 external force, as a blow, or from slipping. When it does occur 

 the symptoms produced are someAvhat alarming. The animal is 

 unable to draw the leg forAvard, and either stands Avith it thrown 

 back with the toe pointing downward, or, if it should succeed in 

 getting its Aveight upon it, holds it firmly on the ground, fearing to 

 moA'e it. Examination of the outside of the joint will disclose the 

 situation of the patella outside its proper place. If the operator 



