CHAPTER XXII 

 FRACTURES AND HARNESS INJURIES 



Fractures, — Broken bones or fractures are not uncommon 

 in domestic animals. In the horse, the bones of the leg, forearm, 

 foot, and spine are the most commonly broken. In the dog the 

 largest percentage of fractures occurs in the superior regions 

 of the limbs. 



Fractures may be classified as simple and compound, com- 

 plete and incomplete, comminuted or splinter. In the simple 

 fracture the skin over the region escapes injury, but in the com- 

 pound fracture the skin is broken and the ends of the broken 

 bone may protrude through it. The terms complete and in- 

 complete are used in describing fractures in which the ends of 

 the bones are not attached to each other, or partially so. In the 

 comminuted fracture the bone is broken into a number of pieces. 

 There are a number of other terms that may be used in designat- 

 ing the different kinds of fractures, svich as double, when both 

 bones in the region are broken, and oblique, transverse and 

 longitudinal, depending on the direction of the break. 



The causes of fractures may be divided into external or 

 mechanical, and internal. Fractures may result from kicks, 

 blows, muscular strain and contusions. Abnormal fragility due 

 to disease, extreme youth and old age are the internal predis- 

 posing factors. 



The sympto7ns are crepitation, abnormal movement and de- 

 formity of tho part. Abnormal movement of the part and 

 inability to support weight occur in fractures of the bones of 

 the limbs. (Crepitation or a grinding, rubbing sound due to the 

 movement of the ends of tho broken bones on one another occurs 

 when the part is moved or manipulated with the hands. Pain, 

 swelling and injury to the skin are other local symptoms. The 

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