218 The Care of Animate 



two distinct parts it is called a "simple fracture." If 

 one of the pieces of broken bone should penetrate the 

 flesh and skin so as to protrude it is called a "compound 

 fractrre." If the bone is broken into three or more 

 parts it is called a "comminuted fracture." Fractures 

 are usually serious, but their importance also depends 

 upon the location, — whether near a joint or so covered 

 with tissues as to be inaccessible to treatment. The 

 severity of the break, whether other tissues are injured, 

 the age, value, and size of the animal, as well as the 

 work for which the animal is intended, are to be con- 

 sidered in the treatment. Fractures usually do better, 

 and there are greater probabilities of recovery, in small 

 animals than in large, because the former are more 

 easily treated and controlled. As a general rule, 

 fractures in cattle make better recoveries than those 

 in horses, other things being equal. 



One of the most positiye symptoms of fracture is 

 the loss of use of the part, especially when the part is 

 a limb. The animal is unable to use it to any extent 

 and, if forced to move, goes on three legs. There is 

 usually a displacement of the broken bone, — that is, 

 the bones slip by each other and can be moved out of 

 their normal positions. In most cases there appears 

 to be an extra joint where the break occurs, and the 

 part can be moved in various directions or swings about 

 in a useless manner as the animal moves. Another 

 important indication is a grating sound, called "crepitus," 

 which can be heard or, better, felt, when the broken 

 pieces of bone are moved upon each other. In some 

 fractures there is no displacement of the broken pieces, 



