378 The Management and Diseases of the Dog. 



be again fastened up, — more firmly, if possible, than before, 

 a liberal diet allowed, and tonics administered. If at the 

 expiration of seven or eight weeks the false joint still exists, 

 and there appears no prospect of its being otherwise, unless 

 other measures are adopted, inflammatory action is to be 

 established in the false union with the object of exciting the 

 formation of osseous material, and this may be done by 

 piercing the structure in various places with a sharp needle,, 

 and moving the point about when imbedded there until it 

 is considered that sufficient irritation has been produced. 

 The limb is then bound up as before. 



Certain constitutional conditions of an animal have a 

 tendency to retard the formation of new bone (scrofula or 

 rickets, to wit). In such diatheses, mineral tonics and bone- 



IxArtil 



Fig. 37. 



deformed limb after union of fracture, necessitating 



re-fracture. 



making materials should be freely exhibited ; in the latter, 

 lime-water and milk should be given to the animal to lap 

 in the place of water. 



Re-fracture. — From nature being allowed, without assist- 

 ance, to effect the union of a fractured limb, or from care- 



