332 



DISEASES OF THE ORGANS OF LOCOMOTION 



ordinary bandage cannot be applied, as in fracture of the scapula, femur 

 and humerus. The pitch can be spread on strips of coarse muslin, and 

 heated and applied to the injured part (Fig. 106). Burgundy pitch 

 100.0 wax 50.0, mix this into a plaster. The dressing may be left in 

 place until we feel sure that union has taken place. In cases where the 

 dressing has been too tight, or if the patient shows restlessness, whining, 

 crying, loss of appetite, or fever, indicating that something is wrong in 

 the fractured region, the dressing must be removed at once (Fig. 107). 



"When the average period of union of fracture has passed remove 

 the dressing carefully and see that the fragments are united. If we 

 recognize any mobility in the fractured region, we then understand that 

 we have a slow, callous formation, and nothing else is to be done but to 



renew the dressing as soon as possible, hav- 

 ing first rendered the parts antiseptic by 

 means of sublimate, soap and Avater. Put 

 on the l^andage again and let it remain 

 for two or three weeks more. If we do 

 not obtain a cure at the end of that time 



Fig. 106. — Pitch plaster put on 

 in layers. (.Cadiot- Breton.) 



Fig. 107.— Effects of tight 

 bandaging of a splint. 



we may conclude that we have a false joint (pseudarthrosis). 



The methods pursued in man of introducing ivory or bone pins into 

 the Ijone or screwing it together by means of clamps or resecting the 

 ends with a saw, is hardly practicable in the dog. If, however, we dis- 

 cover that there is any danger of the formation of a false joint, we may 

 daily irritate the ends of the wound by rubbing the broken ends together, 

 and tying a thick elastic band around the leg above the fractured ends 

 of the bone for one-half to one hour each day to allow an engorgement of 

 blood around the fracture, this bandage should not be made too tight so 

 as to interfere with the arterial circulation but sufficient to cause venous 

 engorgement aliout the fracture; others recommend injections of 3 per 

 cent solution of carbolic acid, or GO per cent, of alcohol, and appl3dng a 

 dressing, giving the animal phosphate of lime or phosphoric acid. 



