bones: diseases and accidents. 287 



Fracture of the ribs. — Such an occurrence can take place only 

 as the result of a direct injury, as from blows or crowding. The pos- 

 terior ribs, l^eing more exposed, are more liable to fracture. Pain in 

 moving, slight swelling over the seat of injury, and difficult breathing 

 are obv^ious symptoms. If the fracture be complete, crepitation may 

 be occasionally noticed by placing the hand flat over the injured part, 

 observing carefully the motion as the chest contracts and expands 

 during respiration. This symptom is more noticeable when the ani- 

 mal coughs. Unless the point of the broken bone penetrates the 

 cavity of the chest the fracture is usually unimportant and calls for 

 no treatment other than quiet. If the breathing is very labored and 

 attended with much pain, motion may be limited by applying a wide 

 bandage firmly around 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 possible. Sloppy food should be given to 

 encourage, as much as possible, free action of the diaphragm in 

 breathing. 



Fracture or bones of the marBS. — 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 muscuhar 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 muscular action not so notice- 

 able, the muscular force not so great, all of which facilitate replac- 

 ing in position the dislodged ends and retaining them. 



Fracture of the knee (carpus) and hock (tarsus). — Unleas it 

 is the result of a very violent injury this seldom occurs, and is gen- 

 erally associated with other injuiy and serious complications. Dis- 

 placement does not generally occur to any considerable extent. The 

 treatment, of course, will consist in holding the liml) perfectly quiet 

 in a natural position, which maj^ be done by the application of long 

 wooden splints retained by bandages, or a plaster of Paris bandage. 



Fractures below the 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 frac- 

 tures 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 



