230 LAMENESS OF THE HORSE 



of cotton in this way, it will not be found necessary to apply the 

 bandages very snugly; with a four-inch gauze bandage material, 

 which is supported above the cap of the hock and brought across 

 the anterior face of the tarsus in a diagonal manner, a comfort- 

 able and very serviceable protective dressing is provided for. 

 Animals so treated will not ordinarily resist because of pressure 

 from the bandages. Pressure is unavoidable in the use of ad- 

 hesive dressings or where careful attention is not given the man- 

 ner of applying cotton to the parts. Such methods are sure to 

 result disastrouslj^ But if subjects are kept quiet after the 

 parts have been properly bandaged, no difficulty is encountered 

 in maintaining asepsis in an uninfected wound. Recovery takes 

 place in favorable cases in from three weeks to three months, de- 

 pending on the nature and extent of injuries inflicted. 



Fracture of the Fibular Tarsal Bone (Calcaneum.) 



Etiology and Occurrence. — This condition though rarely met 

 with in the horse, is the result of violent strain upon the os 

 caleis by the gastrocnemius and superficial flexor tendons in 

 efforts put forth by animals in attempts to regain a footing when 

 the hind feet slip forward under the body, or in jumping and 

 in falls or direct contusion by heavy bodies. Hoare^ reports a 

 case of a mare that had produced fracture in jumping. 



Fracture of the other tarsal bones are very seldom observed 

 but may be occasioned by contusions wherein multiple or com- 

 minuted fractures are produced, such as are to be seen in small 

 animals. Fracture of the tibial tarsal bone (astragalus) is to be 

 observed as a complication in luxations of the tarsal joint and, 

 according to Cadiot, the other tarsal bones may likewise suffer 

 fracture in luxations of the hock. 



Symptomatology. — Great pain attends this accident accord- 

 ing to the observations given in recorded cases. In the case 

 cited by Hoare the animal evinced great pain and uneasiness; the 

 hock was unduly flexed; the calcaneum was displaced forward; 

 and marked crepitation was present. A portion of the body of 



IE. W^allis Hoaro, F. R. C. V. S., American Veterinary Review, Vol. 27, 

 page 1189. 



