258 KENNEL DISEASES. 
“knit together.” The union takes place by a natural process of growth, like 
that by which a wound is healed on the surface of the body. A thick colorless 
fluid — plastic lymph — is poured out around and between the ends of the broken 
bone. Gradually it changes to cartilage or “gristle,” and that eventually 
becomes solid bone. 
In “setting” a broken bone it is in most instances necessary to pull or 
stretch the leg, to overcome the shortening action of the muscles. At the same 
time, by proper manipulation and pressure over them, the fragments are to be 
adjusted. This done, means are required to keep the parts in place, and splints, 
bandages, etc., must be used. 
Although the pain caused by the operation may not be sufficiently intense to 
call for it, ether may be required because of the muscular resistance or struggles 
of the patient, and if so it should be administered. No unprofessional person 
should attempt, if avoidable, the treatment of a fracture without the aid of a sur- 
geon or duly qualified veterinary. It may happen, however, that at the time of 
the accident professional assistance cannot be obtained. It is therefore desi- 
rable, besides the foregoing considerations, that something be here said of the 
general requirements when fractures have occurred. 
Ordinary bandages cannot be applied to dogs with any reasonable hope of 
their remaining tight and in place, therefore, as a rule, the dressing must be of 
starch or plaster-of-Paris. In cases in which there is much swelling, or likely to 
be much, these dressings cannot, however, be used at first, and a splint must be 
temporarily adjusted. Splints of wood are generally out of the question, because 
of the difficulty of adapting them, and they must generally be of a material that 
can be easily bent and fashioned. Thin sheet-lead may do, but pasteboard is 
more serviceable. That should first be cut about the right shape and allowed to 
stand in water until it has begun to soften. It should then be limbered up a bit 
by being bent in various directions with the hands, then placed over the fracture 
after the bones have been restored to proper place; and finally be covered by 
compresses of cotton or linen. Even better splints can be made from a sheet of 
gutta-percha or wire gauze, but they are rarely easily and quickly obtainable. 
‘As soon as the swelling has sufficiently subsided the temporary dressing 
should be displaced by one to be permanent ; and this had best be of plaster-of- 
Paris. Such a bandage might be applied directly after the injury but for the 
fact that dogs are so excitable and restless inflammation attended with much 
swelling is sure to be set up; in which event, of course, the bandage must be 
loosened; and that would be a very difficult matter were it made of plaster. 
A dressing of plaster may be constructed as follows : — 
Of old and thin cotton cloth, linen or cheese-cloth, cut bandages about two. 
inches wide and two or three yards long. Extend each strip on a table or a 
board, and on it, throughout its entire length, sprinkle powdered plaster-of-Paris. 
The layer of the powder should be of about the same thickness as the back of 
