282 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



ends of the bones, a septic condition is apt to arise which may become 

 so serious as to endanger the animal's life and bring about conditions 

 which in human surgery would indicate amputation. Although that 

 operation is not a general one in veterinary practice, there is no rea- 

 son why it should not be attempted as a last resort, particularly if the 

 animal be valuable or one whose existence is necessary in order to 

 perpetuate some valuable strain. Even in the simplest form of frac- 

 ture, if the splints or bandages are improperly applied and the frac- 

 tured bone left so loosely guarded that the broken ends move one upon 

 another, the formation of the calluses previously described is likely 

 to be interfered with, and in place of a strong, rigid, and healthy 

 union a formation of elastic cartilage is the result. This false struc- 

 ture unites the broken ends of the bones in such a way that they move 

 one upon another, depriving the bone of its stability and usefulness. 

 When once the healthy process of union is interrupted in the manner 

 just described, it is with gi'eat difficulty that it can be again estab- 

 lished. It no longer does any good to continue the restraining power; 

 in fact, the change of the temporary cartilage into bone is more likely 

 to be reestablished if the parts move violently upon one another for a 

 short time so as to set up and renew the process of inflammation. 

 Then if the restraint be again applied there is some chance of union. 

 In order so far as possible to avoid this danger, care should be exer- 

 cised that the bandage fits closely and that it is kept on till there is 

 no longer any danger but that a perfect union has taken place. It is 

 impossible to say at just what time the splints or bandages can safely 

 be removed. In a young and healthy animal of quiet temperament, 

 where the parts have been firmly held in position throughout the 

 w^hole time, from 30 to 40 days may be regarded as reasonabh^ safe. 

 Under more unfavorable conditions as to age. vitality, and restraint, 

 the period would better be extended up to 60 days if the general con- 

 dition of the animal is such as to permit of so long a continuance. 

 After the appliance has been removed the animal should be allowed 

 to stand quiet for a few days, then given very gentle exercise, gradu- 

 ally increased over a period of a week or 10 days, by which time the 

 patient will be so far recovered as to be placed in pasture. It should, 

 however, be alone for a time, so as not to take any chance of injury 

 from fighting or other accidents that association with other animals 

 might involve. 



SPECIAL FRACTURES. 



Fracture of the horns. — Of the special fractures liable to occur, 

 that of the horn is perhaps the most common. It is always the result 

 of violent mechanical means, such as blows, injury occurring while 

 fighting, or from the animal getting its head locked in some manner 

 while feeding from a rack. When it occurs there are two ways in 



