bones: diseases and accidents. 267 



a hole in the floor, and the wrenching is the result of the animal's 

 attempt to liberate it. Lameness, followed by swelling of the joint 

 and pain when it is handled, or when the animal moves the joint, and 

 heat, are the more noticeable symptoms. If the sprain be very severe 

 the animal occasionally does not bear its weight on the limb. 



Treatment. — The most important consideration in the treatment of 

 this affection is rest, which is best enforced by keeping the animal in 

 the stall and placing strong muslin bandages about the inflamed joint. 

 As in the sprain of the shoulder, cold water in the form of douches, 

 continuous irrigation with hose or soaking tub, or finely chopped ice 

 poultices' is indicated for the first three days. Following this apply a 

 Priessnitz bandage" moderately tight about the joint, which not only 

 conduces to rest, but also favors absorption. Massage with stimulat- 

 ing liniments, such as soap or camphor liniment, may later be applied 

 to the affected parts. 



If the lameness has not disappeared by the tenth day, the blister 

 advised for the sprain of the shoulder should be applied, and the 

 same precautions observed as to tying the animal's head and subse- 

 quent smearing with vaseline. When a blister is applied in this 

 locality, the back part of the heel should be first filled with lard or 

 vaseline, and care taken to prevent any of the blistering preparation 

 from coming in contact with the skin of that part. If this precaution 

 is not observed, scratches may ensue and prove troublesome. 



SPRAIN OF THE HIP. 



This is likely to result from the animal slipping in such a way as to 

 spread the hind feet wide apart. The patient goes stiff with the hind 

 legs, or lame with one hind leg, walking with a straddling gait and 

 swinging the leg outward as it is carried forward. Tenderness may 

 occasionally be detected on pressure, but owing to the heavy covering 

 of muscles outside of the joint this test is not always reliable. 



In the acute cases, give rest and cold local applications. After the 

 fourth or fifth day the blister mentioned for sprain of the shoulder 

 may be applied with advantage, and if this proves insufficient, we 

 may fire in points over the joint as a last resort. 



SPRAIN OP THE BACK. 



Sprain of the back, particularly in the region of the loins, is not an 

 uncommon accident among cattle. It is likely to occur from the ani- 



a A. Preissnitz bandage is a dressing which combines the three properties of 

 keeping a part warm, moist, and subjecting it to uniform pressure. It consists of 

 three layers of material. The inner layer is composed of absorbent cotton or some 

 other material which is capable of holding moisture. This is soaked in water and 

 wrapped around the part. The second layer consists of a substance which is 

 impervious to moisture, as oiled silk or oiled paper, and is applied about the inner 

 layer to prevent evaporation. The third or outside layer is composed of a flannel 

 or woolen bandage to prevent the radiation of heat and thus keep the moist inner 

 layer at the temperature of the body. 



