rf24 FRACTURES. 



carried low, and the lower lip hangs down. Blows on the cranium, v, ladi the bm- 

 tality of man too often inflicts, as well as many accidents, are very scn.ms matters, 

 and require considerable attention, for, although it may have been ascertained that the 

 cranium is uninjured, there may be considerable concussion of the brain. 



It having been known that a horse had received a violent blow on the head, the 

 strictest examination of the part should take place. An artillery horse broke loose 

 from his groom, and, after galloping about, daslicd into his own stall with such force 

 as sadly to cut his face under the forelock. The farrier on duty sewed up the wound, 

 ])roper dressings were applied, and in a little more than a fortnight the wound was 

 healed and the horse dismissed, apparently well. Four days afterwards the patient 

 moved stiffly ; the jaws could not be separated more than a couple cf inches, and there 

 was evident locked jaw. The horse was cast, and the place where the wound had 

 been was most carefully examined. On cutting to the bottom of it, a fracture was 

 discovered, and a piece of bone three-fourths of an inch long was found on the centre 

 of the parietal suture. This was removed — the wound was properly dressed, and a 

 strong aloetic drink was given with great difficulty. The aloetic drink was repeated 

 — the bowels became loosened — the tetanic symptoms diminished, and in less than 

 three weeks the horse was perfectly cured.* 



This is a very interesting case. There was some carelessness in intrusting the 

 treatment of the wound to the farrier : but the surgeon afterwards repaired the error 

 as well as he could, and no one was better pleased than he was at the result. A 

 violent blow being received on the forehead, the part should always be most carefully 

 examined. 



Hurtrel D'Arboval relates three cases of fracture of the skull. One occurred in a 

 mare that ran violently against a carriage. The skull was depressed, and a portion 

 of bone was removed, but it was four months ere complete re-union of the edges was 

 eflfected. Another horse received a violent kick on the forehead. The union of the 

 depressed bones was effected after the external wound was healed, but there Avas 

 always a depression, an inch in length. An aged mare met with the same accident. 

 A depression here remained as large as a finger. 



Fracture of the arch of the orbit of the eye. — A very interesting account of 

 this, followed by perfect cure, is related at p. 136. 



Fracture of the nasal bones. — This will sometimes occur from falling, or bo 

 produced by a kick from another horse, or the bnitality of the attendant or the rider 

 We have seen a passionate man strike a horse about the head with a heavy hunting 

 whip. The danger of punishment of this kind is obvious; and so would be the pro 

 priety of using the whip for another purpose. A fracture of this kind is generally 

 accompanied by a laceration of the membrane of the nose, and considerable hcemor 

 rhage, which, however, may generally be arrested by the application oi" cold water 

 The fractured portion of bone is usually depressed, and, the space for breathing being 

 diminished, difficulty of respiration occurs. The author had a case of fracture of both 

 nasal bones. He was enabled to elevate the depressed parts, but the inflammation 

 and swelling were so great, that the animal was threatened with suffocation. The 

 operation of tracheotomy was resorted to, and the animal did well. 



If there is fracture of the nasal bones, with depression, and only a little way from 

 the central arch and the section between the nostrils, a slightly curved steel rod may 

 be cautiously introduced into the passage, and the depressed portions carefully raised 

 If this cannot be effected, the trephine must be applied a little above or below the 

 fracture, and the elevator, or steel rod, be introduced through the aperture. If tlio 

 fracture is in any other part of the bone, it will be impossible to reach it with tho 

 elevator, for the turbinated bones are in the way. The trephine must then be resorted 

 to in the first instance. The wound, if there is any, must be covered, and a compress 

 kept on it. 



A writer in a French journal, relates a case in which a horse was violently kicked, 

 and there was a contused wound, with depression of bone. The trephine was applied. 

 Fifteen splinters were extracted, and the case terminated well. It, nevertheless, too 

 often happens that, in these injuries of the nasal membrane, the inflammation wil. 

 obstinately continue, in despite of all that the surgeon can do, and the natural temiina- 



* Veterinarian, vol. vii., p. 142. 



