320 



support and immobilization of tlie parts. At times, however, a better 

 etTect is obtained by the application of a bandage placed firmly around 

 the chest, although, while this limits the motion of the ribs, it is apt 

 to render the respiration more labored. 



If there is displacement with much accompanying pain and evident 

 irritation of the lungs, the fracture must be reduced without delay. 

 The means of effecting this vary acc^rding to whether the displace- 

 ment is outwards or inwards. In the first case the bone may be 

 straightened by i)ressure from without, while in the second the end 

 of the bone must be raised by a lever, for the introduction of which 

 a small incision through the skin and intercostal spaces will be neces- 

 sar3^ When coaptation has been effected it must be retained by the 

 external application of adhesive mixture, with splints and bandages 

 around the chest. 



Fractures of the hones of the pelvis will be considered under their 

 separate denominations, as those of the sacrum and the as innomi- 

 nata, or hip, which includes the subdivisions of the ilium, the pubes, 

 and the ischium. 



The sacrum. — Fractures of this bone are rarely met with among 

 solipeds. Among cattle, however, it is of common occurrence, being 

 attributed not only to the usual varieties of violence, as blows and 

 other external hurts, but to the act of coition, and to violent efforts 

 in parturition. It is generall}^ of the transverse kind, and may be 

 recognized by the deformity which it occasions. This is due to the 

 dropping of the bone, with a change in its direction and a lower 

 attachment of the tail, which also becomes more or less paralyzed. 

 The natural and siDOutaneous relief Avhicli usually interposes in these 

 cases has doubtless been observed by the extensive cattle breeders of 

 the West, and their practice and example fully establishes the inutil- 

 ity of interference. Still, cases may occur in which reduction may 

 be indicated, and it then becomes a matter of no difficulty. It is 

 effected by the introduction of a round, smooth piece of wood into 

 the rectum as far as the fragment of bone, and using it as a lever, 

 resting upon another as a fulcrum placed under it outside. The bono 

 having been thus returned may be kept in place by the ordinary 

 external means in use. 



The OS innominata. — Fractures of the ilium may be observed either 

 at the angle of the hip or at the neck of the bone; those of the pubes 

 may take place at the symphysis, or in the body of the bone ; those of 

 the ischium on the floor of the bone, or at its posterior external angle. 

 Or, again, the fracture may involve all three of these constituent 

 parts of the hip bone by having its situation in the articular cavity — 

 the acetabulum by which it joins the femur or thigh bone. 



Some of these fractures are easily recognized, while others are diffi- 

 cult to identify. The ordinary deformity which characterizes a frac- 

 ture of the external angle of the ilium, its dropping and the diminution 



