FRACtURES. 21 



In the fore limb, fractures of the scapula and humerus are usually 

 of traumatic origin, are seldom accompanied by marked displacement, 

 and are capable of uniting if a long rest at grass is allowed. Pitch 

 bandages should be applied to the surface, covering all the surrounding 

 regions, viz. the withers, upper portion of the forearm, girth and chest, 

 to assist in immobilising the region of fracture, and to promote union. 



Fractures of the forearm are more difficult to treat, because the 

 bandage applied must extend as far as the hoof. In this case displace- 

 ment often occurs. It is therefore necessary, firstly, to reduce the 

 fracture, and bring- the ends in perfect contact, for which purpose it 

 may be requisite to cast the animal, and give an anaesthetic; and, 

 secondly, to apply a pitch plaster in the form of a shallow gutter, leaving 

 the inner surface of the limb uncovered along a line about two inches 

 wide following the course of the veins of the forearm. 



Fractures of the metacarpus and metatarsus usually heal well in all 

 animals of moderate weight, such as heifers, steers, goats or sheep, 

 provided a simple plaster bandage, covering the entire limb or prefer- 

 ably with an opening in the position above indicated, is applied and 

 continued downwards as far as the claws. 



In sheep and goats it is sometimes even sufficient to use a splint 

 formed of straw-boards, and in the case of oxen, of wood, applied over a 

 cotton-wool padding and retained in position by straps, or in the case 

 of the heavier animals by dextrine or pitch bandages. 



In the hind limb, fractures of the femur are more serious, because the 

 apparatus that can be used to secure immobility is seldom or never 

 effective ; excepting in young animals, it is therefore usually better to 

 slaughter. 



Fractures of the tibia are treated like those of the forearm when it 

 appears desirable to keep the animals alive. 



Plaster bandages can very easily be prepared by saturating tarlatan 

 in a mixture of equal parts of thoroughly dry plaster and water. Six to 

 ten thicknesses of tarlatan, arranged alternately longitudinally and 

 transversely, are sufficient. When adjusted they can be kept in position 

 until the plaster has hardened by means of dry bandages applied from 

 below upwards, which can be removed after a lapse of half an hour to 

 an hour. 



FRACTURES OF THE HORNS. 



Anatomy of the horns. The horns form organs of defence, and 

 project on either side of the frontal bone at the poll. Each consists 

 firstly of a bony basis generally known as the horn core ; secondly, of a 

 horn-secreting membrane ; thirdly, of a horny sheath, the horn properly 

 so called. 



