LAMENESS IN THE FORE LEG 107 



ing such relations in metacarpal fractures than in fractures of 

 the radius. However, reduction and immobilization of this as 

 in all fractures, must be done without delay. In simple fracture, 

 the metacarinis is covered with enough cotton to pad the parts, 

 and this is retained in position by liandages. Splints of heavy 

 leather or of thin pieces of tough flexible wood are placed on 

 each side of the leg and firmly held in position with bandages. 

 Bandages may be put on in layers and a coating of glue ap- 

 plied over each layer if this is thought necessary. The ad- 

 vantage gained in using glue or other adhesive materials is that 

 the cast thus formed is more rigid than where such material is 

 not employed. On the other hand, all elasticity is lost as soon 

 as the cast adapts itself to the contour of the extremity, and 

 because of this rigidity, it is doubtful if anything is gained by 

 the incorporation of glue, except in the way of added strength of 

 the cast. Since the animal does not walk upon the broken leg, 

 it is possible to employ splints of suitable materials which are 

 retained in position without glue and frequent readjustment of 

 a part of the immobilizing apparatus is possible. This is im- 

 possible with casts. 



In compound fractures, provision ought to be nuide for dress- 

 ing the wound of the soft structures. This entails adjusting 

 the splints in such manner that one splint may be retained and 

 others removed for dressing the wound and readjusted as often 

 as wound dressing is necessary. 



Splints. 



By this term is meant a condition where there exists an 

 exostosis which involves usually the second (inner small) and 

 third (large) metacarpal bones. While an exostosis involving 

 any one of the splint bones, even when directly caused by an 

 injury, is called a "splint," the term is employed here, in refer- 

 ence to exostoses not due to direct injury such as in contusions. 



Etiology and Occurrence. — Tliis condition is one wherein 

 there is osseous formation following a periostitis and the region 

 of the upper portion of the second (inner small) metacarpal bone 

 is the usual site of the exo.stosis. There is incited an intlamma- 



