212 LAMENESS OF THE HORSE 



moderate exercise or work stiini^lates the estahlishment of col- 

 lateral circulation, ^lassage per rectum is condemned as danger- 

 ous by Cadiot. 



Fracture of the Patella. 



Etiolog-y and Occurrence. — Patellar fractures are rarely met 

 with in the horse but may be caused. by falls and heavy con- 

 tusions. Violent muscular contraction, it is said, may also bring 

 al)Out the same condition. 



Symptomatology. — Fracture may be transverse or vertical, 

 and depending on the manner in which the bone is broken, prog- 

 nosis is either at once rendered favorable or unfavorable. The 

 patella performs a function which is in a way similar to that 

 of the sesamoids and when fractured, complete recovery is im- 

 probable in the average instance. When complete, transverse 

 fractures permit of separation of the parts of bone. Tension on 

 the straight ligaments below and contraction of the quadriceps 

 above usually cause insuperable difficulty in the handling of this 

 type of fracture in the horse. 



Compound fractures as well as multiple or comminuted frac- 

 tures occasionally occur and these constitute injuries which are 

 generally considered fatal, although Andrien, according to Cadiot 

 and Almy, succeeded in obtaining complete recovery in a case of 

 compound fracture of the patella and the horse was in service 

 and almo.st free from lameness two months after treatment was 

 'begun. 



No difficulty is encountered in recognizing the fracture of the 

 patella because of the exposed position of the bone. Crepitation, 

 and in some cases fissures, may be easily detected. 



Treatment. — In simple fracture, when treatment is thought 

 a(lvisal)le, the subject is put in a sling and kept as nearly com- 

 f()rta])le as possibk\ If little inflammation exists, the application 

 of a vesicant two or three weeks after the injury has been in- 

 flicted will be helpful and serve to. hasten repair. 



Bandages or mechanical appliances are of no practical- use in 

 the handling of these cases. 



