BONES DISEASES AND ACCIDENTS. 287 



the winding operation may be continued without delay. The bandages 

 should be. applied till the east is from one-half to three-quarters of an 

 inch thick; then gently restraining the animal for one-half or three- 

 quarters of an hour till the plaster is hardened. Any of the appliances 

 used should be so applied as to absolutely prevent any motion of tht 

 detached parts. If the fracture is near a joint it is generally best to 

 include the joint HI the appliance. The part of the limb below the 

 bandage should be carefully and firmly wrapped with an ordinary cot- 

 ton bandage all the way from the plaster bandage down to the hoof. 

 This last bandage will tend to prevent swelling, which is likely to occur; 

 tlu result of the dependent position in which the animal is forced by 

 nature to keep the injured limb. When plaster of Paris bandages are 

 applied to a compound fracture the injured part may be previously 

 .vith a small thick pad of cotton immediately over the wound. 

 In applying the bandage the operator may with a little care so arrange 

 it as to keep the folds of the bandages off the cotton, or have only a 

 tlii u layer over it, which may be easily cut out and the cotton removed, 

 leaving a convenient opening through which to dress the wound with- 

 out removing the bandage. The ends of the bandage or other appliance 

 should be carefully watched to see that the skin does not become 

 chafed, particularly at the lower end. If the bandage should become 

 weak or broken at any part it may be strengthened without removal by 

 applying other bandages immediately over it. If swelling has taken 

 place before the bandage has been applied there is likely to be some 

 loosening as it disappears, and even without the swelling there is likely 

 to be a tendency of the bandage to slide downward. This may be over- 

 come by fastening it to a suspender attached to a surcingle or passed 

 over the body and attached to the opposite leg. If the looseness can 

 not be overcome in this way the space may be filled .by pouring in 

 a thin paste of plaster of Paris. A better method, however, is to 

 remove the bandage and apply another. Owing to the hardness ot 

 the bandage it will be removed with som6 difficulty. A deep groove 

 should be cut down completely through it on the opposite sides. This 

 may be done with a chisel and a small hammer, if the bandage is care- 

 fully held by an assistant so that the concussion of the blows is not 

 transmitted to the injured bones. The patient should have a roomy 

 stall and should be tied by the head to prevent any attempts to move 

 around. In sonic cases slings have been used. Ordinarily, however, 

 they are not satisfactory in cattle practice, and if applied should only 

 be for a few days at a time and with a view to lessen the animal's dis 

 position to lie down, rather than to prevent it. \Vheu they are use* I 

 continuously the pressure on the abdomen is likely to interfere with 

 digestion and the general health of the animal. 



Motif* of union. The animal should be kept as quiet as ]M>ssible and 

 given such food as will have a tendency to keep the bowels slightly 

 relaxed. The success of the operation will depend chiefly on the skill 



