140 RURAL VETERINARY SECRETS 



large, tieshy muscles of the thigh or forearm, a fractured limb can 

 be placed in a plaster cast and mended even more quickly than 

 that of a human being. 



In applying the plaster cast care must be taken not to shut oft 

 the circulation in the parts below the fracture. For this purpose we 

 usually apply a layer of absorbent cotton before applying the plas- 

 ter paris bandage or cast. Care must also be taken to have proper 

 drainage of the wounds, if any exist in connection with the frac- 

 ture, and while applying the cast or bandage we must always pro- 

 vide reinforcements in the cast, such as wooden splints, so that the 

 cast will not shift or lose its form before the plaster is properly set. 

 Animals wall not refrain from moving during this time, like human 

 beings, and may spoil the fit and purpose of the cast. 



^riie above photo cut shows a blooded Holstein calf nursing its 

 mother immediately after the cast was properly set on a fractured 

 right hind limb. This calf made a splendid recovery, the cast being- 

 taken oft" and renewed in 68 hours, after which it remained on perma- 

 nently until the bone was mended. The larger adult animals, such 

 as horses and cattle, should be confined in a sling in order to keep 

 them quiet. For calves, colts, and dogs it is not necessary. 



