294 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



the chest. The animal should be restricted in the amount of food and 

 water for a few days, the stomach being kept as nearly empty as possi- 

 ble. Sloppy food should be given to encourage, as much as possible, 

 free action of the diaphragm in breathing. 



Fractures of bones of the limbs. On this subject much has been said 

 in the preceding remarks on general fractures. As a rule fracture 

 through one of the large bones of the shoulder (scapula) or thigh (femur) 

 is very difficult to manage. The powerful contraction of the muscles 

 and the changing shape of the limb resulting from their action renders 

 it impossible to retain the detached parts of the bone in proper position. 

 Therefore, though the union should take place, there is almost sure to 

 be considerable deformity and more or less lameness. Fracture of the 

 arm (humerus) or leg (tibia) is likely to be attended with better results. 

 The muscular covering is not so thick, the sheath in which they are 

 held is more tense, and the change in the shape of the limb from mus- 

 cular action not so noticeable, the muscular force not so great, all of 

 which facilitate replacing in position the dislodged ends and retaining 

 them. 



Fracture of the knee (carpus] and hock (tarsus). Unless it is the 

 result of a very violent injury this seldom occurs, and is generally asso- 

 ciated with other injury and serious complications. Displacement does 

 not generally occur to any considerable extent. The treatment, of. 

 course, will consist in holding the limb perfectly quiet in a natural 

 position, which may be done by the application of long wooden splints 

 retained by bandages, or a plaster of Paris bandage. 



Fractures bcloiv tlie knee. Fracture of the long bone below the knee 

 (metacarpus) and hock (metatarsus) is more common. In young animals 

 of quiet temperament the treatment of simple fractures here is likely to 

 be attended with good results. On the other hand a compound fracture 

 in this region becomes a serious matter. The structures which surround 

 the bones are so thin that a very small degree of sloughing will expose 

 parts of the bones and be likely to lead to serious complications and 

 probably fatal results. 



Fractures of bones beloic the fetlock. These fractures are compara- 

 tively unimportant unless associated with other serious injury. The 

 parts can generally be held in position without much difficulty, and 

 union generally takes place quite rapidly. 



Appliances. Of the appliances used in the treatment of the fracture 

 of limbs above the knee, splints made of wood or strong leather and 

 bandages are likely to serve best/ Below the knee plaster of Paris 

 bandages are preferable. The writer is well aware that many of the 

 standard authors deprecate the use of the latter, but an extensive expe- 

 rience leads me to believe that they have many advantages over any of 

 the other appliances when used alone, and they may in many ways be 

 used with advantage in combination with others. 



