76 DISEASES OF THE JAWS. 



This is very uncommon, and more frequently do we observe 

 the fracture represented below: 



Kg. 40. 



The skin may be wounded by the blow which induces the 

 fracture, rendering this compound, and occasionally the bone 

 may be splintered that is to say, the fracture comminuted. 

 The most dangerous position for a break in the jaw is below 

 the thick muscular structures at its broadest point. 



The symptoms are easily recognised. They are: difficult 

 mastication, slavering, sometimes slight hsemorrhage, some 

 swelling, and very decided grating on rubbing the ends of the 

 broken bone. If the fracture is about the branch between 

 the molar and incisor teeth^ by passing the fingers along 

 the lower margin of the jaw, the irregularity due to the break 

 is observable. 



Treatment varies according to the nature and position of 

 the fracture. In longitudinal fractures of the chin, the best 

 plan is to tie firmly together the central incisor teeth, so as 

 to hold the parts in perfect apposition, and in all animals pro- 



