FRACTURED BONES OF THE EXTREMITIES. 485 



it does happen, the plan recommended for the cure of the 

 scapula would be here also proper. 



The Arm-bone is rather more frequently broken, and 

 may be successfully treated as follows : — Having first slung 

 the horse, reduce the fracture ; that is, replace the divided 

 ends of the bone in correct apposition to each other. The 

 animal might be partially slung, so that the feet might rest 

 on the ground, while they supported little of the weight 

 of the body. When all is safe, encase the fractured limb 

 accurately, by making a bandage embrace every part, and 

 strengthen the whole with proper splints. 



The Femur is likewise occasionally fractured : when this 

 accident has happened to a valuable stallion or brood mare, 

 whose future usefulness in propagation would not be mate- 

 rially affected by the shortening of the bone, we might 

 apply sustaining bandages and solidifying applications, after 

 the same manner as directed for the scapula, with the addi- 

 tion of suspension, which here could probably not be dis- 

 pensed with. 



Fracture of the Tibia is more common than that of the 

 femur, to which it is mostly exposed at its inferior part, 

 w^here the resistance of the muscles, and its obliquity, ren- 

 der efforts at reduction generally unavailable. Union, how- 

 ever, will take place between the bones, and the deformity 

 will be lessened, as well as a more favourable position of the 

 callus around the bone will be gained by bandaging and 

 by splints ; and also by support to the body from the ceil- 

 ing, either wholly or partially. By these means the animal 

 may be rendered useful for slow draught-work, or for breed- 

 ing. 



The Olecranon, or Elbow, has been fractured by violent 

 efforts of the muscles ; but the tendinous attachments ren- 

 der it extremely difficult to apply means to retain it in its 

 situation. It is only by preserving a state of absolute re- 

 laxation of the limb that any attempt can have a chance of 

 succeeding. 



Fractured Cannon. — The muscular action which resists 

 the reduction in the former cases, serves here to keep the 

 bones steadily applied ; and we have seen such a case treated 

 successfully without slinging, by a stiff frame of leather, 

 resembling splints for human fractures, only more exten- 



