134 LAMENESS OF THE HORSE 



structures, ^yould coustitute ideal means of treatment; but no 

 such materials have yet been devised, and opinions are various 

 as to the most efficient and practical method to employ. 



After the fetlock has been shorn of hair and the ergot trimmed, 

 the skin is thoroughly cleansed and allowed to dry. Several 

 thin layers of long fiber cotton are then wrapped around the 

 extremity — enough to pad well the member — and this is retained 

 in position with a wide bandage. Gauze bandages are prefer- 

 able to heavier bandages of cotton fabric because they are some- 

 wliat more elastic and yield to the irregular contour of the parts 

 to a better advantage. Layers of three inch gauze bandages, 

 which are soaked with a cold starch paste are wound about the 

 extremity. Strips of leather that are flexible and not more than 

 an inch in width are placed in a vertical position around the 

 leg and these are also covered with the starch and securely held 

 in position with the bandages. In this way, one is able to pro- 

 vide a sufficient degree of rigidity and at the same time, where 

 the cast is carefully applied, little if any injury is done the skin. 

 Such a cast is not difficult to remove and is so inexpensive that 

 it may be removed and reapplied at any time it should be 

 thought preferable to do so. Of course, this does not constitute 

 an effective means of support if the parts are to be frequently 

 and thoroughly soaked with water, but animals undergoing this 

 sort of treatment are usually kept sheltered. 



The same after-care is necessary in such eases as is given in 

 fractures of other bones. Two months after the injury has 

 been done, the application of a blistering ointment to the entire 

 region is of benefit. 



Results. — Much depends on the nature of fractures as to the 

 success one may attain in approximating the parts of a broken 

 bone, and in some cases of oblique fracture for instance, com- 

 plete recovery is impossible, despite the most skillful and pains- 

 taking attention given. On the other hand, cases of simple 

 transverse fractures make perfect recoveries in some instances. 

 All fractures are serious, and in every instance the practitioner 

 M'ould best be careful to impress his client with the many diffi- 

 culties which usually attend the treatment of fracture in horses. 



