3o6 THE FARM DOCTOR. 



very little shortening or distortion if the break is transverse. 

 Fractures of these parts and of the ribs recover with a consider- 

 able enlargement around the seat of the break, which may be 

 afterwards absorbed in part or in whole, as the bone is consolh 

 dated. The same holds good of fractures of other parts when 

 movement is allowed between the divided ends during 

 recovery. 



Slings. — For large quadrupeds with broken limbs slinging is 

 absolutely essential. The simplest mode is the following: — 

 Four strong posts are fixed to the ground and roof, so as to 

 form an oblong, inside which the four feet of the animal may 

 stand. A strong horizontal bar is then fixed to the two posts 

 on each side at such a height as to correspond to the middle oi 

 the body. Then the animal being walked into the frame a 

 horizontal bar is fixed between the two front posts so high as to 

 cross the lower part of the neck, and another between the two 

 hind posts at about the height of the stifle. Next a strong 

 sheet (new sail-cloth is best) is fixed to the one side bar by 

 being wound round and nailed at the outer side, and having 

 been passed beneath the body, is fixed to the opposite bar in 

 the same way. It must be just sufficiently far back to clear the 

 four hmbs, and just so loose as to allow the patient to stand 

 over it without pressure or chafing, or to settle himself into it 

 at will. In the male, care must be taken to have it narrow 

 enough not to cover the sheath. 



It is often necessary to allow an animal to become fatigued 

 by standing for a day or two before being put in a sling, other- 

 wise he may be very irritable at first. Care must be taken not 

 to let him feel the sling beneath him until it is ready to be 

 fixed, as many patients will settle down into it the moment it is 

 felt. 



D/SEASES OF THE yO/NTS. 

 Here in addition to bone we have gristle, .fibrous tissue (cap- 



