254 



HEALTH AND DISEASE 



FRACTURE OF THE RIBS 



Having regard to the large and exposed surface formed by the back 

 ribs, and the peculiar occupation and surroundings of the horse, fracture 

 of the ribs is much less common than might reasonably be expected. 



If the front ribs are protected against external 

 violence by thick muscles, and also by the scapula or 

 shoulder-blade, those behind are possessed of great elas- 

 ticity, and, having no fixed attachment below, are much 

 more capable of yielding to external force without break- 

 ing than those in front. Both, however, are now and 

 again forced beyond their powers of resistance, and a 

 fracture follows. This may be transverse, as in fig. 337, 

 oblique (fig. 344), or vertical, with or without displace- 

 1 ment. The displaced fragment, if directed inwards, may 



*i puncture the pleura or the lung, thus inducing complica- 



tions of pleurisy or pneumonia, or both, or it may pass 

 through the skin and convert a simple into a compound 

 fracture. 



Both these events add very materially to the danger 

 of the case, and too often give it a fatal turn. 



Causes. Fracture of the ribs is usually the result 

 of external violence. Sometimes a kick from another 

 horse, at others a collision with the shaft of a trap, or 

 the pole of a coach or brougham, will cause it; at others 

 it results from a fall on a hard surface, where the legs 

 slip from under the body and the ribs strike the ground 

 first and without any break in the fall. 



Symptoms. Fractures of the ribs frequently occur 

 without displacement, and undergo repair without inter- 

 ference of any kind. In these cases there is nothing to be seen out- 

 wardly, and, excepting a slight thickening over the line of fracture, there 

 is nothing to be felt. The part is tender to touch, and deep pressure 

 causes the patient to recede from it and to emit a subdued grunt. Ten- 

 derness may be found to exist on neighbouring ribs, and some stiffness 

 will be observed in turning. 



Where the broken parts are displaced or contused, more or less swelling 

 appears over the site of fracture. By following the ribs downwards with 

 the fingers before this occurs, the breakage will be recognized as an irregu- 

 larity in its continuity, with more or less projection of one of the broken 



Fig. 344. Oblique 

 Fracture of Rib (third 

 rib, right side, outer 

 aspect) 



