446 FRACTUKES. 



it impossible for tlie animal to rub his liead against anything. In six 

 weeks the cure was complete. 



The ixferior jiaxillaey bone, or lower jaw, is more subject to fracture, 

 and particularly in its branches between the tushes and the lower teeth, 

 and at the symphysis between the two branches of the jaw. Its jjosition, 

 its length, and the small quantity of muscle that covers it, especially 

 auterioi'ly, render it more liable to fracture, and the same circumstances 

 combine to render a reunion of the divided pai'ts more easy to be 

 accomplished. Mr. Blaine relates that in a fractui^e of the lower jaw he 

 succeeded by making a strong leather frame that exactly encased the 

 Avhole jaw. The author of this volume has eifected the sanae object by 

 similar means. 



M. H. Boulay relates, in the Bee. de Med. Vet. for Nov. 1838, that he 

 attended a horse, fracture of whose lower maxillary had taken place at 

 the neck of that bone, between the tushes and the corner incisor teeth. 

 The whole of the interior part of the maxillary bone in which the incisor 

 teeth were planted was completely detached from the other portion of the 

 bone, and the parts were merely held together by the membrane of the 

 mouth. 



The horse was cast — the corner tooth on the left side extracted — the 

 wound thoroughly cleansed — the fractured bones brought into contact — - 

 some holes were drilled between the tushes and the second incisor teeth, 

 above and below, through which some pieces of brass wire were passed, 

 and thus the jaws were apparently fixed immoveably together. The neck 

 of the maxillary bone was surrounded by a sufficient compress of tow, and 

 a ligature tied around it, with its bearing place on the tushes, and all 

 motion thus prevented. 



The horse was naturally an untractable animal, and in his efforts to 

 open his jaws the wires yielded to his repeated struggles, and were to a 

 certain degree separated. The bandage of tow was, however, tightened, 

 and was sufficient to retain the fractured edges in apposition. 



The mouth now began to exhale an infectious and gangrenous odour ; 

 the animal was dispirited, and would not take any food ; gangrene 

 was evidently approaching, and M. Boulay determined to amputate the 

 inferior portion of the maxillary bone, the union of which seemed to be 

 impossible. The sphacelated portion of the maxillary was entirely re- 

 moved ; every fragment of bone that had an obhque direction was sawn 

 away, and the rough and uiieveu portions which the saw could not reach 

 were rasped off. 



Before night, the horse had recovered his natural spirits, and was 

 searching for something to eat. On the following day a few oats were 

 given to him, and he ate them with so much appetite and ease, that no 

 one looking at him would think that he had been deprived of his lower 

 incisor teeth. On the following day some hay was given to him, w^hich 

 he ate without difficulty, and in a fortnight was dismissed, the wounds 

 being nearly healed. 



In the majority of these cases of simple fracture a cure might be 

 effected, or should, at least, be attempted, by means of well adapted 

 bandages around the rauzzle, confined by straps. It will always be 

 pmdent to call in veterinary aid, and it is absolutely necessary in case of 

 compound fi-acture of the lower jaw. 



Fracture of the spine. — This accident, fortunately for the horse, is 

 not of frequent occurrence, but it has been uniformly fatal. It may take 

 place in different parts of the vertebris. In fracture of the cervical verte- 

 bra?, especially if it occui-s above the fifth or sixth bone, the diaphragm 

 will become palsied and death from suffocation will instantly result. This, 



