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It Is generally, therefore, only fractnres of the long bones, and then 

 at points not iu close proximity to the trunk, that may be considered 

 to be amenable to reduction. It is true that some of the more super- 

 ficial bones, as those of the head, of the pelvis, and of the thoracic walls 

 may in some cases require special manipulations and appliances for 

 their retention in their normal positions, but the treatment of these and 

 of a fractured leg can not be the same. 



The methods of accomplishing reduction vary with the features of 

 each case, the manipulations being necessarily modified to meet chang- 

 ing circumstances. If the displacement is iu the thickness of the bone, 

 as iu transverse fracture, the manipulation of reduction consists in 

 applying a steady pressure upon one of the fragments, while the other 

 is kept steady in its place, the object of the pressure being the rees- 

 tablishment of the exact coincidence of the two bony surfaces. If the 

 displacement has taken place at an angle it will be sufiflcieut in order 

 to effect the reduction to press upon the summit or apex of the angle 

 until its disappearance indicates that the parts have been brought into 

 coaptation. This method is often practiced in the treatment of a frac- 

 tured rib. In a longitudinal fracture, or when the fragments are 

 pressed together by the contraction of the muscles to which they give 

 insertion until they so overlap as to correspond by certain points of 

 their circumference, the reduction is to be accomplished by effecting 

 the movements of extension, coiinter-extension, and coaptation. Extension 

 is accomplished by making traction upon the lower portion of the limb. 

 Counter-extension consists in firmly holding or confining the upper or 

 body portion in such a manner that it shall not be affected by the trac- 

 tion applied to the lower; in simpler language, holding it motionless 

 against the force exercised in the extension. In other words, the 

 operator, grasping the limb below the fracture, draws it down or away 

 from the trunk, while he seeks, not to draw away, but simply to hold 

 still the upper portion until the broken ends of bone are brought to their 

 natural relative positions when the coaptation, which is thus affected, 

 has only to be made permanent by the proper dressings to perfect the 

 reduction. 



In treating fractures iu small animals the strength of the hand is 

 usually sufiacient for the required manipulations. In the fracture of 

 the forearm of a dog, for example, while the upper segment is firmly 

 held by one hand, the lower may be grasped by the other and the bone 

 itself made to serve the purpose of a lever to bring about the desired 

 coaptation. In such a case that is sufficient to overcome the muscu- 

 lar contraction and correct the overlapping or other malposition of the 

 bones. If, however, the resistance can not be overcome in this mode, 

 the upper segment may be committed to an assistant for the manage- 

 ment of the counter extension, leaving to the operator the free use of 

 both hands for the further manipulation of the case. 



But if the reduction of fractures in small animals is an easy task, it 



