FRACTURES. 179 



limb in general remains crooked. The thigh is a very com- 

 mon subject of fracture ; and though it appears a most seri- 

 ous bone to break, yet it is one that, with a little assistance, 

 commonly unites straight, and forms a good limb. When a 

 fracture has happened to the thigh, in case the violence has 

 injured the fleshy parts also, so as to produce tension, heat, 

 and inflammation, foment with vinegar and water till the 

 swelling is reduced. When this is eflfected, apply a plaster 

 of pitch or other adhesive matter, spread on moderately firm 

 leather, sufficiently large to cover the outside of the thigh, 

 and to double a little over the inside of it also. Then attach 

 a long splent upon this, which, if it reach from the toes to 

 an inch or two above the back, will be found to steady 

 the limb very much. This splent must be kept in its situation 

 by a long bandage carefully wound round the limb, begin- 

 ning at the toes, and continuing it up the thigh ; when it 

 must be crossed over the back, continued down around the 

 other thigh, and then fastened. This would, however, slip 

 over the tail, without other assistance ; for which reason it 

 must be kept in its place by means of another slip passed 

 round the neck and along the back. 



Fractures of the shoulder should be treated in a similar 

 manner. 



In fractures of the fore and hind legs, very great care is 

 necessary to insure a straight union. As soon as the inflam- 

 mation and swelling will admit of it (sometimes there is httle 

 or none from the first), apply an adhesive plaster neatly and 

 firmly around the part ; then fill up the inequalities by tow 

 or lint, so that the limb shall appear of one size throuo-hout, 

 otherwise the points of the joints will be irritated and made 

 sore by the pressure of the splents. After this has been done, 

 apply two, three, or four splents of thin pliable wood before, 

 behind, and on each side of the limb, and secure them in their 

 places by a flannel bandage. In all fractures, great caution 

 must be observed not to tighten the part, by either the plaster 

 or bandage, so as to bring on swelhng ; for, when this has 

 been done, mortification has followed. In fractures of the 



