323 



The iiiiuimiim period allowable for solid union in a fractured hip is, 

 in our judgment, two months, and we have known cases in which that 

 was too short a time. 



As we have before said, there may be cases in which the ti-eatment 

 for fracture at the floor of the pelvis has been followed by symptoms 

 of partial paralysis, the animal, when lying down, being unable to 

 regain his feet, but moving freely Avhen placed in an uj)riglit position. 

 This condition is due to the interference of the callus with the func- 

 tions of the obturator nerve, which it presses upon or surrounds. We 

 feel warranted by our experience in similar cases in cautioning own- 

 ers of horses in this condition to exercise due j)atience, and to avoid a 

 premature sentence of condemnation against their invalid servants; 

 they are not all irrecoverably paralytic. With alternations of moder- 

 ate exercise, rest in the slings, and the effect of time while the natural 

 process of absorption is taking effect upon the callus, with other ele- 

 ments of change that may be so operating, the horse may in due time 

 l^ecorae able to once more earn his subsistence and serve his master, 



Fracture of ilie scapuJu. — This bone is seldom fractured, its com- 

 parative exemption being due to its free mobility and the protection 

 it receives from the superimiiosed soft tissues. Only direct and pow- 

 erful causes are sufficient to effect the injury, and when it occurs the 

 large rather than the smaller animals are the subjects. The causes 

 are heavy blows or kicks, and violent collisions with unyielding 

 objects. Those wliich are occasioned by falls are generally at the 

 neck of the bone, and of the transverse and comminuted varieties. 



The diagnosis is not alwaj^s easy. The symptoms are inability to 

 rest the leg on the ground and to carry weights, and they are present 

 in various degrees from slight to severe. The leg" rests uijon the toe 

 and seems shortened, and locomotion is i:)erformed by jumps. Moving 

 the leg while examining it and raising the foot for inspection seem to 

 produce much pain and cause the animal to rear. Crepitation is 

 readily felt with the hand upon the shoulder when the leg is moved. 

 If the fracture occurs in tlie upper part of the bone, overlapping of 

 the fragments and displacement will be considerable. 



Tlie fracture of tliis bone is usually classed among the more serious 

 accidents, though cases may occur which are followed by recovery 

 without very serious ultimate results, especially when the seat of 

 the injurj' is at some of the upper angles of the bone, or about the 

 acromion crest. But if the neck and the joint are the parts involved, 

 comiilications are apt to be present which are likely to disable the 

 animal for life. 



If there is no displacement a simple adhesive dressing, to strengthen 

 and immobilize the parts, Avill be sufficient. A coat of black pitch dis- 

 solved with wax and Venice turpentine, and kept in place over the 

 region with oakum or linen bands, will be all tlie treatment required, 

 especially if the animal is kept qui<-1 in 1he slings. 



