136 INJURIES AND DISEASES OF THE SKULL, &c. 



practitioner on the diseases of the horse and other domestic animals. Our 

 object will be to communicate sufficient instruction to the farmer to enable him 

 to act with promptness and judgment when he cannot, obtain professional 

 assistance, to qualify him to form a satisfactory opinion of the skill of the 

 veterinary surgeon whom he may employ, and, more especially, to divest him of 

 those strange and absurd prejudices which in a variety of cases not only produce 

 and prolong disease, but bring it to a fatal termination. 



FRACTURE. 



We have described the cavity of the skull of the horse as being so defended 

 by the hardness of the parietal bones, and those bones so covered by a mass of 

 muscle, and the occipital bone as so exceedingly thick (see page 135), that a 

 Fracture of the skull is almost impossible. It can only occur from brutal 

 violence, or when a horse falls in the act of rearing. When, however, fracture 

 of the skull does occur, it is almost invariably fatal. A blow of sufficient 

 violence to break these bones must likewise irreparably injure the delicate and 

 important organ which they protect. 



The ridge, or outer and upper part of the orbit of the eye, is occasionally 

 fractured. It happens from falling, or much oftener from violent blows. The 

 slightest examination will detect the loosened pieces; but a professional man 

 alone can render effectual assistance. 



Mr. Pritchard, in the second volume of the " Veterinarian," relates an inter- 

 esting case of fracture of the orbit of the eye. " A chesnut mare," he says, 

 " received a blow which fractured the orbit from the superciliary foramen, in 

 a line through the zygomatic processes of the temporal and malar bones to the 

 outer angle of the eye. The detached bone, together with the divided integu- 

 ment, hung over the eye so as to intercept vision. On examining the place 

 where the accident occurred, two portions of bone were found belonging to the 

 orbital arch. After oarefully inspecting the wound, and finding no other 

 detached portions, nor any spicules which might irritate or wound, the adjacent 

 portions of the skin were carefully drawn together, and secured by a silver 

 wire, which closed the wound, and confined the detached portion of bone in its 

 proper place. A mash diet was ordered. 



" On the following day there was considerable inflammation. The eye was 

 bathed with warm water, and a dose of physic administered. On the third day 

 the inflammation and swelling had still more increased. Blood was abstracted 

 from the vein at the angle of the eye. The swelling and inflammation now 

 speedily abated ; and on the 15th day the wound had quite healed." 



If a fracture of this kind is suspected, its existence or non-existence may be 

 easily determined by introducing the thumb under, and keeping the fore -finger 

 upon, the edge of the orbit. 



EXOSTOSIS. 



Bony enlargements of the orbital arch sometimes arise from natural predis- 

 position or local injury. They should be attacked in the earliest stage, for 

 they are too apt rapidly to increase. Some preparation of iodine, as described 

 in the account of medicines, will be useful in this case. 



CARIES. 

 Inflammation and enlargement of the injured bones, followed by abscess and 

 the production of certain bony growths, are of occasional occurrence. A skilful 

 practitioner can alone decide whether a cure should be attempted, or the suffer- 

 ings of the animal terminated by death. 



COMPRESSION OP THE BRAIN. 

 Hydatids are often found within the cranial cavity, and lying upon or im- 



