308 BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 



jerking, while the operator carefully watches the process. If the 

 ])one is superticially situated he is able to judge by the eye of an^^ 

 changes that may occur in the form or length of the parts under trac- 

 tion, and discovering, at the moment of its happening, the restoration 

 of symmetry in the disturbed region, he gently but firmly manipulates 

 the place until all appearance of severed continuity has vanished. 

 Sometimes the fact and the instant of restoration are indicated b}- a 

 peculiar sound, or "click," as the ends of the bone slip into contact, to 

 await the next step of the restorative procedure. 



The process is the same when the bones are covered with thick 

 nuiscular masses, excepting that it is attended with greater difficulties, 

 from the fact that the tingcr must be substituted for the eye, and the 

 taxis must take the place of the sight. 



It frequenth^ happens that perfect coaptation is prevented by the 

 interposition between the bony surfaces of substances, such as a small 

 fragment of detached bone or a clot of bloody and sometimes the 

 extreme obliquity of the fracture is the opposing cause, b}- permitting 

 the })ones to slip out of place. These arc difficulties which can not 

 always be overcome, even in small-sized animals, and still it is only 

 when they are mastered that a correct consolidation can be looked for. 

 Without it the continuity between the fragments will be by a deformed 

 callus, the union will leave a shortened, crooked, or angular limb and 

 a disabled animal. 



If timely assistance can be obtained, and the reduction accomplished 

 immediately after the occurrence of the accident, that is the best time 

 for it. But if it can not be attended to until inilanmiation has become 

 established and the parts have become swollen and painful, time must 

 be allowed for the subsidence of these symptoms before attempting 

 the operation. A spasmodic muscular contraction which sometimes 

 interposes a difficulty may be easily overcome by subjecting the patient 

 to general anesthesia, and need not, therefore, cause an}^ loss of time. 

 A tendency to this may also be overcome by the use of sedatives and 

 antiphlogistic remedies. 



The reduction of the fracture having been accomplished, the problem 

 which follows is that of retention. The parts which have been restored 

 to their natural position must be kept there, without disturbance or 

 agitation, until the perfect formation of a callus, and it is here that 

 ample latitude exists for the exercise of ingenuit}' and skill by the sur- 

 geon in the contrivance of the necessary apparatus. One of the most 

 important of the conditions which arc available b}^ the surgeon in 

 treating human patients is denied to the veterinarian in the manage- 

 ment of those which belong to the animal tribes. This is j)osition. 

 The intelligence of the human patient cooperates with the instructions 

 of the surgeon, but with the animal sufferer there is a continual antag- 

 onism between the parties, and the forced extension and fatiguing 



