214 THE VETERINARY DOCTOR. 
FRACTURES OF BONES. 
Fractures are caused by various forms of violence. In some cases 
it may be difficult for one who is not conversant with such matters 
to detect their existence, but generally little trouble will be found 
in deciding the matter, especially in the legs. In nearly every case 
when a fracture is discovered or suspected, a veterinary surgeon should be 
called at once, though in bad fractures in the legs of horses which are of 
an excitable disposition, treatment is quite useless, and it is better to shoot 
the horse, as always tz broken back. After the surgeon has operated on 
the fracture and left, swelling and inflammation may be so great, especially 
if splints have been used, that he must be recalled. Should “proud flesh’? 
form when laceration of the tissues has been caused, apply to it nitrate of 
silver or powdered sulphate of zinc. If the skull be broken, as may occur 
from the horse rearing and falling backward, immediate care should be 
taken to prevent poll evil; if fhe latter ensues, follow the treatment else- 
where laid down for it. If the ribs be fractured, and it is certain that a 
sharp end does not protrude inward, but the ends of the ribs are joined and 
protrude outward, pass around the body a compress and bandage, giving 
absolute rest and quiet. Some weeks are required for a cure of a fracture. 
OVER-EXERTION. 
Over-exertion gives rise to symptoms which call for treatment, prom- 
inent among which are loss of appetite; failure to lie down; sleep while 
the animal stands; hanging head; pulse slow and weak, or quick and hard, 
the animal being much excited. 
TREATMENT.—If there be loss of appetite, and failure to lie down 
when the animal is very tired, give nux vomica. If the horse moans at 
each movement, rhus will be useful. When the pulse is hard, quick, and 
attended with great excitement, give aconite. Arnica is efficacious if the 
legs be paralyzed; arsenicum, if they be stiff; rhus, if they be swollen. If 
the animal is distressed during fatigue, give easily digested food, not in too 
great quantities, as bran-mashes, steamed carrots and turnips, sweet hay 
shaken up and sprinkled with water, oats (about two quarts) soaked and 
well mixed together. As a drink, give water, not cold, and boiled oatmeal. 
st 
> 
NO 
r35 
iY 
oF 
I 
=—- 3 
Digitized by Microsoft® 
