270 DISEASES OP CATTLE. 



injury is noticed, do not attempt to treat it, but proceed at once to 

 treat the fracture as though the swelling were not present, for no step 

 can be taken toward recovery until the ends of the bone have been 

 restored to their proper position. When that is done and proper 

 appliances have been used to prevent them from being again mis- 

 placed, the swelling, which is the result of irritation, will be relieved. 

 In selecting the appliances to be used in the treatment of fracture 

 the judgment and ingenuity of the operator are of much importance. 

 Splints, made of wood shaped to fit the limb and padded with soft 

 material where they come in contact with bony prominences, and held 

 in position by means of bandages, are the oldest method, and with 

 some are still the most popular. The fracture pads used in human 

 surgery, and for sale in surgical depots, are very convenient. After 

 being dipped in water they may be molded to fit the limb and be 

 retained by means of bandages. Heavy sole leather is also used after 

 being soaked in warm water and molded to the shape of the limb and 

 holes cut in it to fit over any sharp irregularities in the natural shape 

 of the bones. Gutta-percha sheets are also used and answer well. 

 They are prepared and used in the same way as the leather. 



Another and perhaps the simplest of all methods is the application 

 of a plaster of Paris bandage, which is made as follows : Strips of thin 

 cheese cloth 3 inches wide and 8 or 9 feet long are laid flat on a board 

 and on them is spread a layer of plaster of Paris about one-eighth of an 

 inch thick, then, starting at one end, roll carefully so as to gather 

 the plaster in between the layers of the bandage. It is of course 

 important that the cloth be thin and the plaster of Paris fresh and 

 active. After preparing four or five of such bandages the operator 

 is ready to dress the fracture, which, after the parts have been brought 

 into position, should be done by covering all that part of the limb to 

 which the plaster of Paris bandage is to be applied with a single layer 

 of the dry bandage, letting it extend both above and below the part to 

 which the plaster of Paris bandage is to be applied and including under 

 the folds of the dry bandage at each end a layer of absorbent cotton, 

 which is intended to form a pad to prevent the ends of the plaster of 

 Paris bandage from chafing the skin beneath. When this is done one of 

 the plaster of Paris bandages should be placed in a vessel of water and 

 allowed to remain till the air bubbles have ceased to rise from it, which 

 will generally indicate that it is soaked through. Then, taking it in the 

 hand, wind it carefully around and around the limb, unrolling the band- 

 age as it is wound around the limb, occasionally smoothing down the 

 plaster of Paris. Should it form roughly or in ridges, the hand may be 

 dipped in water to impart increased moisture to it. When about 

 finished with one bandage, place another one in the water, so that 

 the winding operation may be continued without delay. The bandages, 

 should be applied till the cast is from one-half to three-quarters of an 

 inch thick, then gently restrain the animal for one-half or three- 



