288 TREATMENT OF FRACTURES. 



useful to rub or dredge the dog's hide, once or twice a week, with 

 very finely powdered resin : if simply rubbed in, add some bran. 

 In all these cases cleanse the dog with an occasional pilrge. 



CLASS XII. 



SURGICAL OPERATIONS ON DOGS, &c. 



TREATMENT OF FRACTURES. 



The limbs of dogs are very liable to become fractured : but the 

 irritability of the constitution is so much less in these animals than 

 in ourselves, that they suffer comparatively but little on these oc- 

 casions ; and the parts soon reinstate themselves, even without aS" 

 sistance, though in such cases the limb in general remains some- 

 what crooked. 



The thigh is a very common subject of fracture ; and though 

 it appears a most serious bone to break, yet it is one that, with a 

 little assistance, commonly unites straight, and forms a good limb. 

 When a fracture has happened to the thighs in case the violence 

 has injured the fleshy parts also, so as to produce tension, heat, 

 and inflammation, foment with vinegar and water until the swelling 

 is reduced. When this is effected, apply a plaister of pitch or 

 other adhesive matter, spread on moderately firm leather, suffi- 

 ciently large to cover the outside of the thigh, and to double a 

 little over the inside of it also. Then attach a long splint upon 

 this, which, if it reach from the toes to an inch or two above the 

 back, will be found to steady the limb very much. This splint 

 must be kept in its situation by a long bandage carefully wound 

 round the limb, beginning at the toes, and continuing it up the 

 thigh ; when it must be crossed over the back, continued down 

 around the other thigh, and then fastened. This would, however, 

 slip over the tail, without other assistance ; for which reason it 

 must be kept in its place by means of another slip passed round 

 the neck and along the back. 



