CHAPTER V. 



FRACTURES AND DISLOCATIONS. 



Inasmuch as there is often great difficulty in treating fractures of the bones 

 of the horse, owing to the fact that absolute rest is not easily maintained, we 

 shall not enter into a very elaborate discussion of this subject. A fracture is 

 spoken of as simple, when the bone is broken at one spot only, and when 

 there is no external wound, extending down to the seat of injury. When 

 such an external wound exists, the fracture is termed compound, and when 

 the bone is broken in several parts, it is termed comminuted. When a bone 

 of a limb is broken, lameness necessarily results. The animal often manifests 

 great pain, and displacement of the parts is often noticeable. If the broken 

 ends are rubbed together, a grating sound may often be heard. In some 

 instances, there is no distortion of the normal relationship of the tissues. 



We purpose to say firstly a few words regarding the general treatment of 

 fractures, and then to describe some of the more common forms in detail. 

 Compound and comminuted fractures are always difficult to treat, far more 

 so than simple ones. 



In the treatment of a fracture, absolute rest is the first essential ; and, in 

 order to secure this, slinging will in many instances be indispensable. When 

 the fracture is compound, it will be necessary to treat the wound as well as 

 the fracture by the application of some antiseptic lotion, as for instance of 

 carbolic acid, water, and glycerine ; and, moreover, all detached fragments 

 of bone should be carefully removed. The question of the advisability of 

 treating a fractured bone in a horse is often a pecuniaiy one. The requisite 

 food, rest, and attendance, skilled and manual, are serious items of expense ; 

 and moreover the chance of failure, owing to the difficulty of maintaining the 

 broken ends in close apposition, is a point for due consideration The broken 

 ends of a bone are brought together, and secured thus, by means of splints 

 made of gutta percha or leather. Sometimes, bandages moistened with hot 

 water, and then covered with plaster of E.aris, are employed. The plaster 

 sets firmly, and the fractured bone is thus rendered firm and secure. 



Sometimes what is spoken of as a charge proves very valuable in 

 maintaining the broken bone at rest. By a charge we understand a cotton 

 bandage about four or five inches in breadth, on which is placed some 

 material which sets hard. Such a preparation may be made of equal parts 

 of ordinary pitch and Burgundy pitch. This method of treatment is to be 



