Local Injuries. 249 



to carry the limb in a more or less flexed position, and 

 is unable to put it to the ground, or bear any weight 

 upon it. The parts commonly affected are the phalanges, 

 or small bones of the feet, which suffer from being trodden, 

 run over, or bruising from falling objects. The elbow 

 also suffers as a result of dislocation which has not been 

 reduced. Sprains of ligament also end in exostosis and 

 anchylosis, and, on that account, all such injuries should 

 receive prompt attention. Blisters frequently applied, 

 and the actual cautery, are often attended with good 

 results in the early stages. 



Sprains of Muscle and Sinew are common to sport- 

 ing dogs, especially greyhounds. They are met with- in 

 all forms, varying from slight extension, or laceration of 

 fibre, to "breaking down," or rupture of the sinews. 

 Cure is effected by complete rest, the administration of 

 laxative medicine, and cold water externally. 



Congenital Deformities of the extremities are not 

 uncommon in puppies. They present such a variety of 

 forms that intelligible description fails in the small space 

 allotted. When the animal is of valuable or special 

 strain, the best course is to submit the case to a well- 

 known canine surgeon for opinion as to procedure. 



Dislocations.— Displacement of bones in their union 

 to form joints is common in dogs of all ages. They 

 present various aspects as well as difficulties, and the 

 patient should be placed in the hands of the skilled 

 canine surgeon. 



Besides reduction, the after-treatment of dislocation is 

 ofien important. Bandages and splints, as for fractures, 

 may be required, being retained by starch, melted pitch, 

 &c., until the parts have assumed a healthy condition, 

 the use of the limb being also suspended. Blisters, or 

 even firing, may be called for at a later stage in order to 

 hasten the cure. 



Fracture of Bone is frequent in dogs. They origi- 

 nate from falls, blows, kicks from horses, or being 

 run over by vehicles ; and, as a rule, are readily distin- 

 guished by the crepitus, deformity, pain on movement of 

 the injured member, inability to use it, with subsequent 



