304 THE FARM DOCTOR, 



part, shortening, if it is the main bone of a limb, trembling of 

 the muscles over the injury, a grating sensation conveyed to the 

 hand on moving the broken bone, unnatural mobility of the 

 part, and the suddenness of the injury from a wrong step or 

 some mechanical violence. In cracks and partial fractures o; 

 bones with a strong investing fibrous membrane, there may be 

 no displacement, increased mobility nor grating, but only z 

 tender line across the bone with or without a slight elevation. 



Treatment. — The first thing to be done is to bring the broken 

 ends into correct apposition and retain them there by splints 

 and bandages. No matter if the soft parts are inflamed and 

 swollen, to leave the sharp ends jerking into them with each 

 contraction of the muscles will only make matters worse, whereas 

 the removal of this source of irritation will usually entail imme- 

 diate improvement. If from the oblique or comminuted nature 

 of the fracture the bones cannot be so placed and retained, 

 recovery need not be expected, at least without distortion. 



To bring the ends together accurately, it may be necessary 

 to employ extension and counter-extension. A strong sheet or 

 blanket is crossed over the inside of the upper part of the limb 

 and held to keep the body still ; while extension is effected by 

 lines attached to the foot ; a block and tackle may be used, but 

 cautiously, in view of the increased power thereby obtained. 

 It may even be needful to relax the muscles by placing the 

 animal under the influence of ether, chloroform, or chloral- 

 hydrate. While the limb is being extended the operator brings 

 the broken ends together correctly, and splints are applied. 



These may be made of sheets of gutta-percha softened in 

 warm water and applied so as to adapt themselves to the in- 

 equalities of the limb; of strong pasteboard with the edges 

 torn (not cut) and softened in water to allow of its being 

 moulded to the surface ; of starch bandage, a long cotton 

 bandage three inches wide, laid on accurately, layer above layer, 

 and starched as applied so that it dries into a perfectly fitting 



