FRACTURES. 297 



presented, and free cauterization with the firing iron becomes 

 necessary. 



At this point a word of explanation in reference to this operation 

 of firing may be appropriate for the satisfaction of any among our 

 readers who may entertain an exaggerated idea of its severity and 

 possible cruelty. 



The operation is one of simplicity, but is nevertheless one which, 

 in order to secure its benefits, must be reserved for times and occa- 

 sions of which only the best knowledge and highest discretion should 

 be allowed to judge. It is not the mere application of a hot iron to a 

 given part of the body which constitutes the operation of firing. It 

 is the methodical and scientific introduction of heat into the structure 

 with a view to a given effect upon a diseased organ or tissue by an 

 expert surgeon. The first is one of the degrees of mere burning. The 

 other is scientific cauterization, and is a surgical manipulation which 

 should be committed exclusively to the practiced hand of the veter- 

 inary surgeon. 



Either firing alone or stimulation with blisters is of great efficacy 

 for the relief of lameness from bone spavin. Failure to produce relief 

 after a few applications and after allowing a sufficient interval of rest 

 should be followed by a second, or, if needed, a third firing. 



In case of further failure there is a reserve of certain special oper- 

 ations which have been tried and recommended, among which those 

 of cunean tenotomy, periosteotomy, the division of nervous branches, 

 etc., may be mentioned. These, however, belong to the peculiar 

 domain of the veterinary practitioner, and need not now engage our 

 attention. 



FRACTURES. 



In technical language a fracture is a " solution of continuity in the 

 structure or substance of a bone.'' It ranks among the most serious 

 of the lesions to which the horse or any animal can be subject. It 

 is a subject of special interest to veterinarians and horse owners in 

 view of the fact that it occurs in such a variety of forms and sub- 

 jects the patient to much loss of time, resulting in the suspension of 

 his earning* capacity. Though of less serious consequence in the 

 horse than in man, it is always a matter of grave import. It is 

 always slow and tedious in healing, and is frequently of doubtful 

 and unsatisfactory result. 



This solution of continuity may take place in two principal ways 

 In the most numerous instances it includes the total thickness of the 

 bone and is a complete fracture. In other cases it involves a portion 

 only of the thickness of the bone, and for that reason is described as 

 incomplete. If the bone is divided into two separate portions, and 

 the soft parts have received no injury, the fracture is a simple one; or 



