Local Injuries. 253 



quarters. It suffers in falls, and during violent struggles 

 when the horse is "cast in the stall." The spine or the 

 transverse process may be severed, each producing 

 changes apparent to the eye, and for which absolute rest 

 in slings may be useful if he is tractable. Embrocations 

 to stimulate union; good laxative food. Deformity is 

 permanent. 



Bones of the Tail. — Injuries to these bones are 

 common in draught-horses, the tail being under the body 

 of the cart as it descends upon the shafts. Railway 

 horses suffer from the tail being crushed between the 

 buffers. Simple fractures may be treated by the tail 

 being bound in a leather case ; but comminuted fractures 

 are often attended by necrosis, abscess, gangrene, blood- 

 poisoning, or tetanus. The early use of the knife, or 

 complete amputation, may be needful. 



Bones of the Haunch. — These comprise the Pelvis, 

 and give entire conformation to the hind parts. The 

 anterior spinous process suffers by striking the sides of 

 doorways, walls, or pillars, when the horse is said 

 to have a "quarter," or a " huggin down," a great dis- 

 figurement, which, however, does not militate against his 

 usefulness. When the shaft of the bone is fractured, both 

 usefulness and value are greatly reduced, and fracture of 

 the cup-joint usually ends in fixing of the joint by inflam- 

 matory action and bony deposit. Another serious form 

 of fracture is that of the symphysis, on the floor of the 

 bony passage, union being interfered with by pressure of 

 the haunches above. Young and valuable horses only 

 should be treated, as rest during several months is re- 

 quired to effect a union. 



In the fore limbs serious fractures are not uncommon. 



The Scapula, blade or shoulder bone, is severed 

 across the neck ; the Humerus suffers in the shaft, 

 usually from oblique fracture, and in both instances there 

 is much deformity, with shortening of the limb, swelling, 

 and infiltration after a short time. Absolute cure is 

 impossible. 



The Radius and Ulna form the elbow-joint by union 

 with the humerus above. All parts of the first are liable 



