FRACTURES 



231 



hard and rigid, and the broken pieces adherent to the neighbouring 

 muscles. These are conditions which seriously interfere with replacement, 

 and may altogether prevent it. In such circumstances no attempt should 

 be made at reduction until the inflammation has been subdued by appro- 

 priate means, and some discrimination will be required as to the desirability 

 of undertaking such a task in the horse at all. 



When the parts have been returned to their proper position, or as 

 nearly so as can be effected, the 

 next requirement to be fulfilled is 

 to secure them in such a manner 

 as to prevent their displacement 

 and favour the process of healing. 



In man, whose intelligence is 

 always at the service of the sur- 

 geon, this is not a difficult matter, 

 but it is otherwise with the horse. 



The one may be put to bed, 

 and all weight having been re- 

 moved from the broken limb, it 

 may be placed in the position 

 most favourable to reparation, 

 and retained there largely by the 

 will of the patient. 



No such sense of self-govern- 

 ment is available to the veterin- 

 ary surgeon. His patient must 

 for the most part support his own 

 weight, and cannot be made to 

 obey the behests of his attendant. 

 His care of the limb is just so 

 much as is dictated by fear of the 

 pain which its movement excites, and the desire to use it, ever present, is 

 always being indulged more or less, with the result that reparation is 

 delayed, frequently imperfect, and not seldom altogether prevented. It 

 is this want of guiding intelligence, this excitability and restlessness, that 

 renders bone-" setting " in the horse so uncertain and unsatisfactory. 



Among the various appliances employed for the purpose of retention, 

 splints and bandages are the main and the most reliable. In fracture of 

 the extremities the patient should always be placed in slings, and the 

 opportunity afforded him to relieve the injured part and rest during the 

 period of restraint. 



Fig. 331. Bandaging a Fore-leg 



Showing the method of applying the bandage over a pad 

 of cotton-wool. 



