310 THE HORSE. 



extremities, which are concealed by a large mass of muscle, the 

 total inability to use the limb, and the loose way in which it is 

 connected to the body, so as to allow it to be moved in any direc- 

 tion, indicate the general nature of the case without difficulty, 

 though a careful examination must be made by a skilful surgeon 

 before the exact particulars relating to it can be ascertained. 



The treatment will depend upon the bone which is broken, and 

 whether the fracture is simple or compound. In most cases of 

 the latter description none will avail, and the horse had better be 

 destroyed; but if the owner is averse to this, it will be on the 

 whole the best surgery, though apparently not very scientific, to 

 encase the parts with adhesive plasters and tow, and then treat 

 it as a simple fracture. 



If the bones of the skull are fractured, unless there are 

 symptoms of pressure on the brain, it is advisable to leave all to 

 nature, simply keeping the patient quiet and low, and if in a high 

 state of plethora, bleeding and physicking. 



A broken lower jaw is by no means uncommon as the result 

 of a kick. The best treatment is to set the fracture, and then 

 mould some gutta percha to it, which may be confined behind by 

 strips round the forehead and poll, and before by a padded strap 

 passed through the mouth between the nippers and tushes, and 

 beneath the tongue. The horse must be fed upon mashes and 

 steamed food. 



In fractures of the spine and pelvis nothing can be done 

 beyond rest and lowering, if necessary, by bleeding and physic. 



Broken ribs, when they cause inflammation of the lungs or 

 liver by their sharp ends pressing upon these organs, may be 

 treated by buckling two or three ordinary rollers abreast of one 

 another tightly round the chest, so as to prevent the natural dila- 

 tation of the thorax, which takes place in inspiration, and which 

 keeps up the irritation by constantly moving the ends of the ribs. 

 The general means necessary to adopt to relieve the internal mis- 

 chief will depend upon its extent. 



When either the scapula, humerus, or femur is broken, 

 all that can be done is to sling the horse, and by bandages endeavor 

 to bring the limb into as natural a position as possible, and keep it 

 there. There must of necessity be great displacement of the ends 

 of the bones, and these cannot by any means be brought into appo- 

 sition ; but the sides in contact with one another, as they over- 

 ride, will unite in course of time, and this is all that can be 

 achieved by the utmost efi"orts of the veterinary surgeon. 



Fractures of the lower part of the tibia, of the radius, of the 

 canna bones and the pasterns, if simple, must be treated by adjust- 

 ing the ends (which is the chief difficulty, and will often re/^uire 

 strong extension to be employed), and then adapting to the sides 



