bones: diseases and accidents. 269 



COMPOUND FRACTURES. 



Compound fracture is one in which there is an open wound per- 

 mitting the air to communicate with the ends of the broken bones. 



COMMINUTED FRACTURES. 



Comminuted fracture is one in which the bone is shattered o r divided 

 into a number of fragments. 



COMPLICATED FRACTURES. 



Complicated fracture is one where other structures surrojunding the 

 bones are injured. 



GENERAL SYMPTOMS OF FRACTURE. 



When a fracture of one or more of the large bones of a limb occurs, 

 symptoms are sure to be well marked. After the accident the animal 

 refuses to touch the foot to the ground and, if compelled to move, 

 does so with great pain and reluctance. There is more or less short- 

 ening of the limb, with trembling of the muscles in the vicinity of 

 the injury; deformity, and increased mobility, so that, instead of the 

 natural joints of the limb and the natural muscular control of their 

 motion, a new joint is formed where the fracture occurred, over which 

 the animal has no control. As the leg hangs dependent from the 

 body, shortened by the ends of the bones being forced past one another 

 from the muscular contraction which invariably takes place, it swings 

 in an awkward and unnatural manner, permitting the toe and foot to 

 assume positions in their relations to other parts of the body which 

 otherwise would be impossible. If the fractured bone is so situated 

 that the parts may be moved one upon another, a grating sound, 

 known as crepitus, will be observed. 



GENERAL TREATMENT OF FRACTURES. 



When a fracture occurs, the advisability of attempting treatment 

 must first be determined. If the animal be young, valuable, and of 

 reasonably quiet temperament, and the fracture not too great in 

 extent, the chances of recovery are fair. On the other hand, if the 

 animal should be of little value, irritable, advanced in years, and the 

 fracture a serious compound or comminuted one, the wiser course 

 would generally be to put the creature out of its misery. Having 

 determined to attempt treatment, no time should be lost in restoring 

 the parts as nearly as possible to their natural position and retaining 

 them there. If the ends of the bones have been drawn past one 

 another, they should, by firm and continuous tension, be drawn out 

 until they again assume the position in which they were before the 

 aceident. All this can better be done before the swelling (which is 

 sure to result) takes place. If the swelling has occurred before the 



