309 



being usually imperfect and of a fibrous character, with an amphiar- 

 throsis formation. S till, complications occur which may impart grav- 

 ity to the prognosis. 



Fractures with but a slight or no displacement need no redaction. 

 All that is necessary is a simple application of a blistering nature as a 

 preventive of inflammation or for its subjugation when present, and in 

 order to excite an exudation which will tend to aid in the support and 

 immobilization of the parts. At times, however, a better effect is ob- 

 tained by the application of a bandage placed firmly around the chest, 

 although, while this limits the motion of the ribs, it is ai)t to render 

 the respiration more labored. 



If there is displacement with much accompanying pain and evident 

 irritation of the lungs, the fracture must be reduced without delay. 

 The means of effecting this vary according to whether the displacement 

 is outwards or inwards. In the first case the bone may be straightened 

 by pressure from without, while in the second the end of the bone must 

 be raised by a lever, for the introduction of which a small incision 

 through the skin and intercostal spaces will be necessary. When coap- 

 tation has been affected it must be retained by the external application 

 of adhesive mixture, with splints and bandages around the chest. 



Fractures of the hones of the pelvis will be considered under their sep- 

 arate denominations, as those of the sacrum and the os imiominata, or 

 hip, which includes the subdivisions of the ilium, the i)ubes, and the 

 ischium. 



The sacrum. — Fractures of this bone are rarely met with among sol- 

 ipeds. Among cattle, however, it is of common occurrence, beiug at- 

 tributed not only to the usual varieties of violence, as blows and other 

 external hurts, but to the act of coition, and to violent efforts in partu- 

 rition. It is generally of the transverse kind, and may be recognized 

 by the deformity which it occasions. This is due to the dropj^ing of the 

 bone, with a change in its direction and a lower attachment of the tail, 

 which also becomes more or less paralyzed. The natural and spontane- 

 ous relief which usually interposes in these cases has doubtless been 

 observed by the extensive cattle breeders of the West, and their prac- 

 tice and example fully establishes the inutility of interference. Still, 

 cases may occur in which reduction may be indicated, and it then 

 becomes a matter of no difficulty. It is effected by the introduction of 

 a round, smooth piece of wood into the rectum as far as the fragment of 

 bone, and using it as a lever, resting it ujion another as a fulcrum placed 

 under it outside. The bone haviug been thus returned may be kex)t in 

 place by theordinai-y external means in use. 



The OS innominata. — Fractures of the ilium may be observed either at 

 the angle of the hip or at the neck of the bone ; those of the pubes may 

 take place at the symphysis, or in the body of the bon« ; t^iose of the 

 ischium on the floor of the bone, or at its posterior external angle. Or, 

 again, the fracture may involve all three of these constituent parts of 



