FEACTURE OF THE PELVIS 259 



Generally it may be said that, owing to the very imperfect control which 

 can be exercised over the movements of the horse, and the disturbing effect 

 of the weight of the body acting on the broken bones while in the upright 

 posture, but little can be hoped for from treatment. 



In fracture of the acetabulum there is only a very remote prospect of a 

 reunion of the broken pieces being brought about, and much the same 

 may be said of a breach in the floor of the pelvis. We have seen instances 

 of repair in both these fractures, but they are very rare indeed, and in the 

 former case severe lameness continued throughout life. 



The external angle of the ilium is frequently broken and displaced more 

 or less in a downward direction without materially affecting the patient's 

 usefulness. In these cases a replacement of the broken fragments cannot 

 be effected owing to the downward pull of the muscles attached to it, but 

 it continues to be connected to the part from which it was torn by a strong 

 band of connective tissue, and the patient suffers only a temporary incon- 

 venience from the accident. Here rest is all that is needed to bring about 

 a satisfactory result. 



Less frequently, but in a large proportion of cases, the same good result 

 follows under the same simple course of treatment when the internal angle 

 is broken. 



Some prospect of recovery offers, where the fracture involves only the 

 neck of the ilium, so long as there is no displacement, and the same remark 

 applies where the point of the ischium is broken; but it frequently occurs 

 that the parts break away in the course of repair, before it has sufficiently 

 advanced to keep them in position. 



Except in those forms of fracture last referred to, unless some special 

 value be attached to the injured animal for stud purposes, the desirability 

 of prompt destruction should be well considered. Experience teaches that 

 in the most favourable cases, where reunion of the broken pieces is com- 

 plete, some deformity of the pelvis, some irreparable interference with 

 nerves or vessels, or wasting of muscles, is left behind to cripple the 

 patient after long and costly nursing. 



Perfect quietude as far as it can be enforced is the one condition to 

 be aimed at, and this will be best secured by placing the animal in slings. 

 In doing so it should be observed that the ground is not slippery, and 

 that it is well covered with peat-moss or saw-dust, or, failing these, a 

 thick covering of sand. Peat-moss being the softest, most adhesive, and 

 least likely to jar the limb, is to be preferred. It may be that the patient 

 may experience some difficulty for a time in emptying the bladder, owing 

 to being unable to extend himself. In such cases the urine must be with- 

 drawn by means of the catheter with as little disturbance to the horse 



