270 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



Comminuted fractures. — Comminuted fracture is one in which 

 the bone is shattered or divided into a number of fragments. 



Complicated fractures.— Complicated fracture is one in which 

 other structures surrounding the bones are injured. 



General symptoms of fracture. — When a fracture of one or more 

 of the large bones of a limb occurs, symptoms are sure to be well 

 marked. After the accident the animal refuses to touch the foot to 

 the ground and, if compelled to move, does so with great pain and 

 reluctance. There is more or less shortening of the limb, w^ith trem- 

 bling of the muscles in the vicinity of the injury; deformity, and in- 

 creased mobility, so that, instead of the natural joints of the limb 

 and the natural, muscular control of their motion, a new joint, over 

 which the animal has no control, is formed where the fracture oc- 

 curred. As the leg, shortened by the ends of the bones being forced 

 past one another from the muscular contraction which invariably 

 takes place, hangs dependent from the body it swings in an awkward 

 and unnatural manner, permitting the toe and foot to assume posi- 

 tions in their relations to other parts of the body which otherwise 

 would be impossible. If the fractured bone is so situated that the 

 parts may be moved one upon another, a grating sound, known as 

 crepitus, will be heard. 



General treatment of fractures. — When a fracture occurs, the 

 advisability of attempting treatment must first be determined. If 

 the animal is young, valuable, and of reasonably quiet temperament, 

 and the fracture is not too great in extent, the chances of recovery 

 are fair. On the other hand, if the animal should be of little value, 

 irritable, advanced in years, and the fracture is a serious compound 

 cr comminuted one, the wiser course would generally be to put the 

 creature out of its misery. 



Having determined to attempt treatment, no time should be lost 

 in restoring the parts as nearly as possible to their natural position 

 and retaining them there. If the ends of the bones have been drawn 

 one past the other, they should be drawn out by firm and continuous 

 tension, until they again assume the position in which they were 

 before the accident. All this can better be done before the swelling 

 (which is sure to result) takes place. If the swelling has occurred 

 before the injury is noticed, do not attempt to treat it, but proceed at 

 once to treat the fracture as though the swelling were not present, 

 for no step can be taken toAvard recovery until the ends of the bone 

 have been restored to their proper position. When that is done and 

 proper appliances have been used to prevent them from being again 

 misplaced, the swelling, which is the result of irritation, will be re- 

 lieved. In selecting the appliances to be used in the treatment of 

 fracture the judgment and ingenuity of the operator are of much im- 

 portance. Splints, made of wood shaped to fit the limb and padded 



