(LAMENESS IN THE HIND LEG 223 



edge of the character of violence to which this bone has l)een 

 exposed. For without the presence of crepitation (even by ex- 

 cluding other possible causes for the pronounced lameness which 

 characterizes some of these cases) we can only resort to the 

 knowledge which experience has taught that fracture may be 

 deemed probable in many injuries to the til)ial region. Con- 

 sequently, we are to look upon all injuries that affect the tibia 

 as being fractures of some sort when there is either local evidence 

 of the infliction of violence or whenever marked lameness attends 

 such injuries, unless there is positive indication that no fractures 

 exist. 



A careful examination of parts of the tibia, i. e., noting the 

 amount and painfulness of swellings, exploration with the probe, 

 and observations of the course taken in any given case, will 

 determine the exact nature of injuries. Such examination needs 

 to extend over a period of a week or in some instances two or 

 three weeks may pass before the true state of affairs is apparent. 

 In the meanwhile, cases are to be handled as though tibial frac- 

 ture certainly existed. 



Prognosis. — Prediction of the outcome in tibial fracture is 

 somewhat presumptuous, but in the majority of cases in mature 

 subjects fatality results. Cadiot^ however, views this condition 

 with more optimism than have American practitioners. Wliile 

 he considers the condition grave, in citing case reports of suc- 

 cessful treatment by d'Arboval, D'uchemin, Leblanc, and others, 

 his conclusion is that many practitioners erroneously consider 

 fractures of the tibia as incurable. 



The method of handling these cases by Leblanc is as follows : 

 The subject is placed in a sling; a pit is excavated below the 

 affected member so that a heavy weight may be attached to the 

 extremity; splints are applied to each, side of the leg, which is 

 padded with oakum, and this is kept in position by means of 

 bandages covered with pitch; The outer splint extends from 

 the hoof to the stifle and the inner one from the hoof to the 

 upper third of the leg. This method in the hands of Leblanc 

 has been successful in several instances, according to Cadiot. 



^Traite de Therap. Cliir, Cadiot et .41my, Tome second, page 480, 



