33^ CANINE AND FELINE SURGERY 



actual fracture of bone, and at the level of the ninth vertebrae there was 

 a cyst measuring about i inch in length by j inch at its maximum 

 •diameter, this being the result of an intramedullary liEemorrhage.'^ 



Treatment. — If diagnosed at once an attempt may be 

 made, under anaesthesia, to reduce the dislocation, but in 

 all cases the owner should be warned that there is a risk of 

 sudden collapse, and also that the attempt may be un- 

 successful. 



Dislocation of the Tail.— This accident is mostly met with 

 in greyhounds, whippets, or an animal of some such slender, 

 delicate breed with a long tail. It can generally be reduced if 

 attended to soon after the accident has occurred, and the 

 tail should for a time be supported by a bandage. 



Fig. 210. — Skiagraph showing Dislocation of the Tail Bones in a 

 (".rei^hound.''^ 



Fractures. 



Fractures are termed simple when there is no external 

 wound, compound when the ends of the broken bone are 

 in communication with the air, comminuted when the bone 

 is broken into several fragments (see Fig. 213), and com- 

 plicated when there is serious injury to some nerve, artery, 

 or other important structure in the vicinity. The term 

 g'reenstick is applied to a fracture such as frequently occurs 

 in puppies or kittens, in which the bone is bent and only 

 partially fractured. 



1 Veteriihiry Journal, vol. Ix., p. 273 (Mower White and Hobday). 

 ''■ For this skiagraph I am indebted to Mr. A. S. Hodgkins. 



