198 LAMENESS OF THE HORSE 



was fractured and a rent in the bladder was caused by a sharp 

 projecting piece of bone. Autopsy revealed, in addition to the 

 fracture and rent of the l)ladder wall, a large quantity of urine 

 in the peritoneal cavity. 



In other instances hemorrhage caused death and not infre- 

 quently infection was responsible for a fatal issue. Moller,- 

 quoting Nocard, describes a case where fracture occurred through 

 the region of the foramen ovale and paralysis of the obturator 

 nerve followed. 



Fractures which include the acetabular bones cause great pain. 

 This is manifested by marked lameness, both during weight 

 bearing and when the member is swung. Such cases terminate 

 unfavorably — complete recover}^ is impossible. 



Where small portions of the angle of the ilium are broken, and 

 the skin is left intact, there exists the least troublesome class 

 of pelvic fracture. If large portions of the ilium are fractured, 

 considerable disturbance results. There eventually occurs more 

 or less displacement in such cases, if such displacement does not 

 take place at the time of injury. The same may be said of frac- 

 ture of the tuber ischii, but when these bones are fractured a 

 more serious condition results. 



Treatment. — AVhen a case is found to be uncomplicated, that 

 is, if the fracture is such that recovery seems possible and after 

 having determined that treatment may be practicable, the first 

 consideration is that of confining the subject in suitable slings. 

 In many cases of pelvic fracture, the atfected animal will need 

 to be kept in slings from six weeks to three months, and it l)e- 

 comes a difficult problem to minimize the distress during this 

 long period of confinement in the peculiar manner required for 

 favorable outcome. 



The pattern of sling employed should be the best that is ob- 

 tainable aud the matter of its adjustment is quite important lest 

 unnecessary chafing or even necrosis of skin result. Frequent 

 readjustment may be necessary, and time is well spent in this 

 manner since this contributes materially toward a favorable 

 termination by encouraging the subject to remain q\iiet so that 



^Regional Veterinary Surgery and Operative Technique, by .Tohn A. W. 

 Dollar, M. R. C. V. S., F. R. S. E., M. R. I., page 733. 



