180 FRACTURES. 



fore leg's, a supporting- bandage, with side splents, should be 

 kept on a longer time than is necessary for fractures of the 

 hinder ones. If this precaution be not observed, the leg* is 

 apt to become gradually crooked, after the apparatus is re- 

 moved. 



In cases of compound fracture, that is, where there is an 

 open wound, which penetrates to the divided bones ; the same 

 means must be pursued as are practised in the human subject. 

 Irritating pointed portions must be sawed off; the loose ones 

 should be removed ; and every means must be used to close 

 the wound as early as possible: during which process, the 

 bones should be kept in contact with each other, and sup- 

 ported by soft bandages ; until the cicatrization of the wound 

 will allow of proper splents and tighter bandaging. 



It likewise not unfrequently happens, that a compound frac- 

 ture, or even a simple one, when neglected, becomes united by 

 a soft union ; that is, instead of the callus interposed between 

 the divided ends being bony, it proves cartilaginous only. 

 In such a case the fractured limb never becomes firm ; but, 

 on the contrary, when examined, an obscure motion may be 

 felt, like an imperfect joint, which utterly precludes any 

 strength in the limb. I have frequently been consulted on 

 these cases, all of which have originated in the neglect of a 

 proper treatment at first. 



As a remedy for the evil, one of two practices must be 

 pursued. We should either open the skin opposite the frac- 

 ture, and, laying bare the bone, we should remove the soft 

 portion interposed^ with a fine saw, treating the case after- 

 wards as a compound fracture. Or we should insert a seton 

 exactly through the soft cartilaginous portion, and keep it 

 open ten days or a fortnight. After this time it may be re- 

 moved, the wound closed, and the part treated as a simple 

 fracture. Either of these plans will usually prove successful, 

 and firmly consolidate the limb : but, when there is no lapping 

 over of the ends of the bones, the latter is the most mild and 

 convenient, and equally certain of success. 



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