FEACTTJRE OF THE FOREARM. 321 



sion, and In order to accomplish this the animal must be thrown. 

 If successful in the reduction, then follows the application and adjust- 

 ment of the apparatus of retention, which must needs be of the most 

 perfect and efficient kind. And finally, this, however skillfully con- 

 trived and carefully adapted, will often fail to eflfect any good pur- 

 pose whatever. 



FBACTURE OF THE FOREARM. 



A fracture in this region may also involve the radius or the ulna, 

 the latter being broken at times in its upper portion above the radio- 

 ulnar arch at the olecranon. If the fracture occurs at any part of the 

 forearm from the radio-ulnar arch down to the knee, it may involve 

 either the radius alone or the radius and the cubitus, which are there 

 intimately united. 



Cause. — Besides having die same etiology with most of the frac- 

 tures, those of the forearm are, nevertheless, more commonly due to 

 kicks from other animals, especially when crowded together in large 

 numbers in insufficient space. It is a matter of observation that, 

 under these circumstances, fractures of the incomplete kind are those 

 which occur on the inside of the leg, the bone being in that region 

 almost entirely subcutaneous, while those of the complete class are 

 either oblique or transverse. The least common are the longitudinal, 

 in the long axis of the bone. 



Symptoms. — This variety of fracture is easily recognized by the 

 appearance of the leg and the different changes it undergoes. There 

 is inability to use the limb; impossibility of locomotion; mobility 

 below" the injury; the ready detection of crepitation — in a word, the 

 assemblage of all the signs and symj^toms which have been already 

 considered as associated with the history of broken bones. 



The fracture of the ulna alone, principally above the radio-ulnar 

 arch, may be ascertained by the aggravated lameness, the excessive 

 soreness on pressure, and perhaps a certain increase of motion, with 

 a very slight crepitation if tested in the usual way. Displacement 

 is not likely to take place except when it is well up toward the ole- 

 cranon or its tuberosity, the upper segment of the bone being in that 

 case likel}'^ to be drawn upward. For a simple fracture of this region 

 there exists a fair chance of recovery, but in a case of the compound 

 and comminuted class there is less ground for a favorable prognosis, 

 especially if the elbow joint has suffered injury. A fracture of the 

 ulna alone is not of serious importance, except when the same con- 

 ditions prevail. A fracture of the olecranon is less amenable to 

 treatment, and promises little better than a ligamentous union. 



Treatment. — Considering all the various conditions involving the 

 nature and extent of these lesions, the position and direction of the 

 bones of the forearm are such as to render the chances for recovery 

 H. Doc. 795, 59-2 21 



