312 



necessary, and there is, in fact, always an advantage in their nse, on 

 the side of steadiness and uniformity, as well as of increased x^ower. 

 It is secured around the fetlock or the coronet, or, what is better, above 

 the knee and nearer the point of fracture, and is committed to assist- 

 ants. The ti-action on this should be firm, uniform, and slow, with- 

 out relaxing or jerking, while the operator carefully watches the 

 process. If the bone is superficially situated he is able to judge by 

 the eye of any changes that may occur in the form or length of the 

 parts under traction, and discovering at the moment of its happening 

 the restoration of symmetry in the disturbed region, he gently but 

 firmly manipula,tes the place until all appearance of severed conti- 

 nuit}^ have vanished. Sometimes the fact and the instant of restoration 

 are indicated by a peculiar sound or " click," as the ends of the bone 

 slip into contact, to await the next ste]3 of the restorative procedure. 



The process is the same Vv^hen the bones are covered v/ith thick 

 muscular masses, excepting that it is attended with greater diflicul- 

 ties, from the fact that the finger must be substituted for the eye, and 

 the taxis must talce the place of the sight, and the result naturallj^ 

 becomes more uncertain. 



It frequently happens that perfect coaptation is prevented by the 

 inteiposition between the bony surfaces of substances, such as a small 

 fragment of detached bone or a clot of blood, and sometimes the 

 extreme obliquity of the fracture is the ojiposing cause, b}' permitting 

 the bones to slij) out of place. These aro difdculties which can not 

 always bo overcome, even in small-sized animals, and still it is only 

 when thej^ are mastered that a correct consolidation can be looked for. 

 Yet without it the continuity between the fragments will be by a 

 deformed callus, the union will leave a shortened, crooked or angular 

 limb, and a disabled animal. 



If timely assistance can be obtained, and the reduction accom- 

 plished imme'liatelj' after the occurrence of the accident, that is the 

 best time for it. But if it can not be attended to until inflammation 

 has become established and the parts have become swollen and i)ain- 

 ful, time must be allowed for the subsidence of these symptoms before 

 attempting the operation. A spasmodic muscular contraction which 

 sometimes intei'i^oses a difficulty may be easily' overcome by subject- 

 ing the patient to general anesthesia, and need not, therefore, cause 

 any loss of time. A tendency to this may also be overcome by the use 

 of sedatives and antiphlogistic remedies. 



The reduction of the fracture having been accomplished, the problem 

 which follows is that of retention. The parts which have been restored 

 to their natural position must be kept there, without disturbance or 

 agitation, until the perfect formation of a callus, and it is here that 

 ample latitude exists for the exercise of ingenuity and skill by the sur- 

 geon in the contrivance of the necessary apparatus. One of the most 

 important of the conditions which are available by the surgeon in 



