312 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



flammation of the cavities of the sinuses are varying complications of 

 these accidents. The object of the treatment should be the restora- 

 tion of the depressed bones as nearly as possible to their normal 

 position, and their retention in place by protecting splints, which 

 should cover the entire facial region. Special precautions should be 

 observed to prevent the patient from disturbing the dressing by rub- 

 bing his head against surrounding objects, such as the stall, the 

 manger, the rack, etc. Clots of blood in the nasal passages must be 

 washed out, collections of pus must be removed from the sinuses, and 

 if the teeth are loosened and likely to fall out they should be removed. 

 If roaring is threatened, tracheotomy is indicated. 



FRACTURES OF THE PREMAXTT/LARY BONE. 



These are mentioned by continental authors. They are usually 

 encountered in connection with fractures of the nasal bone, and may 

 take place either in the width or the length of the bone. 



The deformity of the upper lip, which is drawn sidewise in this 

 lesion, renders it easy of diagnosis. The abnormal mobility and the 

 crepitation, with the pain manifested by the patient when undergoing 

 examination, are concurrent symptoms. Looseness of the teeth, 

 abundant salivation, and entire inability to grasp the food complete 

 the symptomatology of these accidents. In the treatment, splints of 

 gutta-percha or leather are sometimes used, but they are of difficult 

 application. Our own judgment and practice are in favor of the 

 union of the bones by means of metallic sutures. 



FRACTURES OF THE LOWER JAW. 



A fracture here is not an injury of infrequent occurrence. It 

 involves the body of the bone, at its symphysis, or back of it, and 

 includes one or both of its branches, either more or less forward, or 

 at the posterior part near the temporo-maxillary articulation, at the 

 coronoid process. 



Falls, blows, or other external violence, or powerful muscular con- 

 tractions during the use of the speculum, may be mentioned among 

 the causes of this lesion. The fracture of the neck, or that portion 

 formed by the juncture of the two opposite sides, and of the branches 

 in front of the cheeks, causes the lower jaw, the true dental arch, to 

 drop, without the ability to raise it again to the upper, and the result 

 is a peculiar and characteristic physiognomy. The prehension and 

 mastication of food become impossible; there is an abundant escape 

 of fetid and sometimes bloody saliva, especially if the gums have been 

 wounded ; there is excessive mobility of the lower end of the jawbone ; 

 and there is crepitation, and frequently paralysis of the under lip. 

 Although an animal suffering with a complete and often compound 

 and comminuted fracture of the submaxilla presents at times a serious 



