280 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



erally associiited with other injury and serious complications. Dis- 

 placement d<K's not generally occur to any considerable extent. The 

 tieatment, uf couisc, consists in hoi i ling the liiii)< perfectly quiet 

 in a natural pusition, which may l)e done by the application of long, 

 wooden splints retained by bamlages, or a plaster-of-Paris bandage. 



Fractt itES BELOW THE KXEE. — Fracturc of the long bone below the 

 kwvv (metacarpus) and hock (metatarsus) is more common. In 

 young animals of quiet temperament the treatment of simple frac- 

 tures here is lilady to be attended with good results. On tlie other 

 hand, a compound fracture in this region becomes a serious matter. 

 The structures which surround the bones are so thin that a very small 

 degree of sloughing will expose parts of the liones and Ije liable to 

 lead to serious comj^lications and probalily fatal results. 



Feactltees of bones below the eetl(Kk. — These fractures are cora- 

 l^aratively unimportant unless associated with other serious injury. 

 The parts can generally be held in position without much difficulty, 

 and union generally takes place quite rapidly. 



Appliances. — Of the appliances used in the treatment of the frac- 

 ture of limbs al)ove the knee, sjilints made of wood or iron strips and 

 bandages are likely to serve best. Below the knee plaster-of-Paris 

 bandages are preferable. The writer is well aware that many of 

 the standard authors deprecate the use of the latter, but an extensive 

 experience leads me to believe that they have many advantages over 

 any of the other appliances when used alone, and' in many ways they 

 may be used ^vith advantage in combination with others. 



DISLOCATIONS. 



Luxation, or displacement without fracture of the bones form- 

 ing a joint, is comparati\ely rare among cattle. It most fretjuently 

 occurs in the stifle joint, where dislocation of the kneepan (patella) 

 takes place. A glance at the skeleton (PI. XXV) Avill show the rela- 

 tions better than they can be descrilied. It will be observed that 

 the small, irregularly shaped bone (patella) plays on the anterior 

 rounded part of the h>\\ev edge of the thigh lione (femur) and be- 

 tween it and the upper end of the shank bone (tiliia). The outer 

 ridge on the lower end of -the thigh Jxme is less prominent than the 

 inner one, so that disi^lacement. when it does take place, is by slip- 

 jnng outward. Such an accident may occur from direct injury or 

 externa] force, as a l)low, or from slipping. When it does occur 

 the symptoms produced are somewhat alarming. The animal is 

 unable to draw the leg forward, and eitliei- stands with it thrown 

 back with the toe ])ointing downward, or. if it should succeed in 

 getting its Aveight upon it, holds it firmly on the ground, fearino- to 

 move it. Examination of the outside of the joint will disclosethe 

 situation of the patella outside its proper place. If the operator 



