FRACTURES. 253 



fracture feels as if it were completely united, and, as the plaster continues 

 to adhere firmly, I thought the bandages enveloping it, as they were often 

 getting loose, might now be dispensed with, and that the dog might with 

 benefit be chained to a kennel, instead of being so closely confined as he 

 has been. In moving, he does not attempt to use the fractured limb, 

 but hops along upon the three other legs. July. He has acquired pretty 

 good use of the limb. Being now at liberty, he runs about a good deal ; 

 halting, from there being some shortness of the limb, but not so much as 

 to prevent him being serviceable, as a * slow ' hunter, in the sporting- 

 field. 



" About a twelvemonth ago," continues Mr. Percivall, " I was consulted 

 concerning a blood-hound of great size and beauty, and of the cost of 501. 

 that had been a cripple in one of his hind limbs for some considerable 

 time past, owing, it was said or thought, to having received some injury. 

 After a very careful handling and examination of the parts about the hips, 

 the places where he expressed pain, I came to the conclusion that there 

 had been, and still existed, some fracture of the ischial portion of the pelvis, 

 but precisely where, or of what nature, I could not determine ; and all 

 the treatment I could recommend was, that the animal should be shut up 

 within a basket or box of some sort, of dimensions only sufficient to enable 

 him to lie at ease, and that he be kept there for at least six months, with- 

 out being taken out, save for the purpose of having his bed cleansed or 

 renewed. His owner had previously made up his mind to have him 

 destroyed : understanding, however, from me, that there still remained a 

 chance of his recovery, he ordered his groom to procure a proper basket, 

 and see that the dog's confinement was such as I had prescribed. The 

 man asked me to allow him to have his kennel, which, being no larger 

 than was requisite for him, I did not object to ; and to this he had an iron 

 lattice-door made, converting it into a sort of wild-beast cage. After two 

 months' confinement I had him let out for a short run, and perceived 

 evident amendment. I believe altogether that he was imprisoned five 

 months, and then was found so much improved that I had him chained to 

 his kennel for the remaining month, and this, I believe, was continued for 

 another month. The issue was the complete recovery of the animal, very 

 much to the gratification and joy of his master, by whom he is regarded 

 as a kind of unique or unobtainable production. 



" The fractures of dogs and other animals must, of course, be treated 

 in accordance with all the circumstances of their cases ; but I have always 

 considered it a most essential part of their treatment that such portable 

 patients as dogs and cats, &c., should be placed and kept in a state of con- 

 finement where they either could not, or were not likely to, use or move 

 the fractured parts ; and, moreover, I have thought that failure, where it 

 has resulted after such treatment, has arisen from its not having been suffi- 

 ciently long persisted in." 



In the opinion of Professor Simonds, when there is fracture of the 

 bones of the extremities, a starch bandage is the best that can be employed. 

 If applied wet, it adapts itself to the irregularities of the limbs, and if 

 allowed to remain on twelve hours undisturbed it forms a complete case 

 for the part, and affords more equal support than anything else that can 

 possibly be used. 



The following case was one of considerable interest. It came under 

 the care of Professor Simonds. Two gentlemen were playing at quoits, 



