4I6 FRACTURES. 



nor complicated, it may be perfectly reduced by proper bandaging, and, in 

 fact, there have been cases, in which union has taken place with slight assist- 

 ance from art beyond the application of a few bandages. 



M. Gazot relates a very satisfactory termination of fracture of this bone in a 

 carriage-horse. The animal fell, and was totally unable to rise again. He was 

 placed on some hurdles, and drawn home. A veterinary surgeon being con- 

 sulted, recognized fracture of the lower pastern in both feet, and advised that 

 the animal should be destroyed. It was a favourite horse, between five and six 

 years old, and the owner determined to give it a chance of recovery. 



M. Gazot was consulted. He plainly recognized a transverse fracture in the 

 lower pastern of the right leg, and a longitudinal one in the left pastern. They 

 were both of them simple fractures. The horse was manageable, and seemed 

 to comprehend the whole affair. He was a favourite of the groom as well as 

 the master, and it was determined to give him a chance of recovery. He had 

 plenty of good litter under him, which was changed twice in the day. The 

 first object that was attempted to be accomplished was the healing of the 

 excoriations that had taken place in drawing him home, and abating the inflam- 

 mation that was appearing about the pasterns. 



At the termination of the first week all these were healed, the horse fed 

 well, and was perfectly quiet, except that when he was tired of lying on one 

 side he contrived to get on his knees and then to raise himself on his haunches, 

 and, having voided his urine and his dung, he turned himself upon the other 

 side, without the bandages round his pasterns being in the slightest degree inter- 

 fered with. 



At the expiration of the second week he seemed to wish to get up. The 

 groom had orders to assist him, and a sling was passed, under him. Some oats 

 were placed in the manger, and he seemed to enjoy the change for a little while. 

 Soon afterwards he began to be uneasy, and a copious perspiration appeared 

 on every part. He was immediately lowered, when, with evident delight, he 

 stretched out his head and his legs, and lay almost without motion during 

 several hours. On the following day he was again placed in the sling, and again 

 lowered as soon as he appeared to be fatigued. 



At the expiration of a month from the time of the accident he could get up 

 without assistance, and would continue standing two or three hours, when he 

 lay down again, but with a degree of precaution that was truly admirable. The 

 bandages around the pasterns had been continued until this period, and had 

 been kept wet with a spirituous embrocation. The horse was encouraged to 

 walk a little, some corn being offered to him in a sieve. He was sadly lame, 

 and the lameness was considerably greater in the left than in the right foot. A 

 calculous enlargement could also be felt in the direction of the fracture on each 

 pastern ; but it was greatest in the left fetlock, and there was reason to fear the 

 existence of anchylosis, between the pastern bones of the left leg. That foot 

 was surrounded with emollient cataplasms, and, two days afterwards, was pared 

 out, and the cautery applied over both pasterns, the spirituous embrocation 

 being continued. 



A fortnight afterwards the effect of the cautery was very satisfactory. The 

 action of the part was more free, and there was no longer any fear of anchylosis. 

 It was however deemed prudent to apply the cautery over the right pastern. 

 Walking exercise was now recommended, and in the course of another month 

 the lameness was much diminished. It was most on the left side, which, how- 

 ever, had resumed its former degree of inclination. 



At the expiration of four months the horse was sent to work. His master, how- 

 ever, doubting the stability of the cure, sold him, for which he ought to have had 

 his own legs broken, and he fell into bad hands. He was worked hardly and half 



