305 



X)eculiar effect which is produced by the friction of the fractured sur- 

 faces one against another. Though discerned by the organs of hear- 

 ing it can scarcely be called a so and, for the grating of the parts as 

 the rubbing takes place is more felt than heard, but tliere is no mis- 

 taking its iinijort in cases favorable for the application of the test. 

 The conditions in which it is not available are those of incomplete 

 fracture, in which the mobility of the parts is lacking, and those in 

 which the whole array of phenomena are usually obscure. To obtain 

 the benefit of this pathognomonic sign recxuires deliberate, careful, 

 and gentle manipulation. Sometimes the slightest of movements wiU 

 be sufficient for its development, after much rougher handling has 

 failed to discover it. Perhaps the failure in the latter case is due to 

 a sort of defensive spasmodic rigidity caused by the pain resulting 

 from the rude interference. 



]\[ore or less reactive fever is a usual accompaniment of a fracture, 

 and an ecch3nnosis of the parts is but a natural occurrence, more easil}^ 

 discovered in animals iDOSsessing a light colored and delicate skin than 

 in those of the opposite character. 



There are difficulties in the way of the diagnosis of an incomplete 

 fracture, even sometimes when there is a degree of impairment in the 

 function of locomotion, with evidences of pain and swelling at the 

 seat of lesion. There should then be a careful examination for evi- 

 dences of a blow or other viol'euce sufficient to account for the fracture, 

 though ver}^ often a suspicion of its existence can only be converted 

 into a certainty by a minute history of the patient if it can be obtained 

 up to the moment of the occurrence of the injury. A diagnosis ought 

 not to'be hastily pronounced, and where good ground for suspicion 

 exists it ought not to be rejected upon any evidence less than the best. 

 Serious and fatal complications are too often recorded of the results 

 following careless conclusions in similar cases, among which we may 

 refer to one instance of a complete fracture manifesting itself in an 

 animal during the act of rising up in his stall after a decision had been 

 IDronounced that he had no fracture at all. 



Fractures are of course liable to complications, those especially, 

 from the nature of the case, which are of a traumatic character, such 

 as extensive lacerations, tearing of tissues, i)unctures, contusions, etc. 

 But unless these are in communication with the fracture itself the 

 indication is to treat them sinii)ly as independent lesions upon other 

 parts of the body. A traumatic emphysema will at times cause trouble, 

 and abscesses, more or less deep and diffused, maj^ follow. In some 

 cases small bony fragments from a comminuted fracture, becoming 

 loose and acting as foreign bodies, may give rise to troublesome fistu- 

 lous tracts. A frequent complication is hemorrhage, which often 

 becomes of serious consequence. A fracture in close proximitj^ to a 

 joint may be accompanied hy dangerous inflammations of important 

 organs, and induce an attack of pneumonia, pleurisy, arthritis, etc.. 



