276 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



vaseline, and care taken to prevent any of the blistering preparation 

 from coming- in contact with the skin of that part. If this precaution 

 is not observed, scratches may ensue and prove troublesome. 



SPRAIN OF THE II ir. 



This is likely to result from the animal slipping in such a way as 

 to spread the hind feet wide apart. The patient goes stiff with the 

 hind legs, or lame w4th one hind leg, walking with a straddling gait 

 and swinging the leg outward as it is carried forward. Tenderness 

 may occasionally be detected on pressure, but owing to the heavy cov- 

 ering of muscles outside of the joint this test is not always reliable. 



In the acute cases give rest and cold local applications. After (he 

 fourth or fifth day the blister mentioned for sprain of the shoulder 

 may be applied with advantage, and if this proves insufficient, we 

 may fire in points over the joint as a last resort. 



SPRAIN OF THE BACK. 



Sprain of the back, particularly in the region of the loins, is not an 

 uncommon accident among cattle. It is likely to occur from the ani- 

 mal slipping Avith both hind feet sidewise so as to twist the back, or 

 the feet slipping violently backward so that great stress is thrown on 

 the loins. The patient moves with difficulty, using the hind parts in 

 a guarded manner, as if afraid of causing severe pain. Occasionally, 

 if the sprain is severe, the animal will rise with difficulty. Pressure 

 on the back in the immediate region of the loins causes pain. Such 

 cases may be mistaken for paralysis, and, in fact, in severe cases, 

 although the nerve supply is not interfered with, the injury to the 

 muscles and resulting pain is so great that the condition is almost 

 equal to paralysis during the early stages of the injury, although 

 likely to be attended with more favorable results. Hot applications, 

 such as blankets wrung out of hot water and changed at short inter- 

 vals, will be likely to afford relief during the earlier stages. After- 

 wards the blister mentioned for sprain of the shoulder may be ap- 

 plied with advantage. 



^ i-'racttjRes (broken bones). 



Bones may be accidentally broken in many ways and from different 

 causes. Fractures in general are likely to be produced by external 

 force suddenly and violently applied, either directly to the part or at 

 a distance, the force being transmitted through the stronger bones 

 until it expends itself by breaking a weaker one remote from the seat 

 of the injury. Occasionally violent contraction of muscles is suffi- 

 cient to break a bone. Certain bones, those of the limbs in particular, 

 are more liable to fracture than others, owing to their exposed posi- 



