FRACTURE OF THE -BONES OF THE FORE EXTREMITY 



253 



excoriation and inflammatory softening, and failing in consequence to give 

 the bone support, a fracture results. It is no uncommon thing for rupture 

 of the tendon to follow upon fracture of the bone. 



Nails penetrating the frog have been noticed to cause fracture of this 

 bone, but such an occurrence is very rare indeed. 



Symptoms. Evidence of fracture of the navicular bone is difficult 

 to differentiate from that severe inflammation of the navicular joint and 

 tissues of the foot which sooner or later follows upon neurectomy. A little 



Fig. 342. Fracture of Navicular Bone 



A, Gratification of Superior Navicular Ligament. 

 B, Diseased Bone. 



Fig. 343. Fracture of the Navicular Bone 



fulness in the hollow of the heel is first observed, which on pressure is 

 somewhat yielding, and suggests the existence of deep-seated fluid. The 

 toe has a slight inclination upwards, and the fetlock joint is somewhat 

 depressed. Soon the coronet exhibits an abnormal fullness, and oozing 

 of serosity appears between hair and hoof. The coronal thin border of 

 the latter becomes white by saturation with serosity, and the horn com- 

 mences to separate from the skin, and soon the hoof sloughs, a result which 

 sooner or later follows upon fracture of the navicular bone. 



Of course nothing in these cases can be done with any prospect of 

 cure, and the better and more humane measure is to have the animal 

 destroyed. 



