bones: diseases and accidents. 271 



quarters of an hour till the plaster is hardened. Any of the appliances 

 used should be so manipulated as to prevent absolutely any motion of 

 the detached parts. If the fracture is near a joint, it is generally best 

 to include the joint in the appliance. The part of the limb below the 

 bandage should be carefully and firmly wrapped with an ordinary 

 cotton bandage all the way from the plaster bandage down to the 

 hoof. This last bandage will tend to prevent swelling, which is likely 

 to occur, the result of the dependent position in which the animal is 

 forced by nature to keep the injured limb. 



When plaster of Paris bandages are applied to a compound fracture, 

 the injured part may be previously dressed with a small, thick pad of 

 cotton immediately over the wound. In applying the bandage the 

 operator may with . a little care so arrange it as to keep the folds of 

 the bandages off the cotton, or have only a thin layer over it, which 

 may be easily cut out and the cotton removed, leaving a convenient 

 opening through which to dress the wound without removing the 

 bandage. The ends of the bandage or other appliance should be 

 carefully watched to see that the skin does not become chafed, par- 

 ticularly at the lower end. If the bandage should become weak or 

 broken at any part, it may be strengthened without removal by apply- 

 ing other bandages immediately over it. If swelling has taken place 

 before the bandage has been applied, there is likely to be some loosen- 

 ing as it disappears, and even without the swelling there is likely to 

 be a tendency of the bandage to slide downward. This may be over- 

 come by fastening it to a suspender attached to a surcingle or passed 

 over the body and attached to the opposite leg. If the looseness can 

 not be overcome in this way, the space may be filled by pouring in a 

 thin paste of plaster of Paris. A better method, however, is to 

 remove the bandage and apply another. Owing to the hardness of 

 the bandage it will be removed with some difficulty. A deep groove 

 should be cut down completely through it on the opposite sides. This 

 may be done with a chisel and a small hammer, if the bandage is 

 carefully held by an assistant so that the concussion of the blows is 

 not transmitted to the injured bones. The patient should have a 

 roomy stall and should be tied by the head to prevent any attempts 

 to move around. In some cases slings have been used. Ordinarily, 

 however, they are not satisfactory in cattle practice, and if applied 

 should only be for a few days at a time and with a view to lessen the 

 animal's disposition to lie down, rather than to prevent it. When 

 they are used continuously, the pressure on the abdomen is likely to 

 interfere with digestion and the general health of the animal. 



Modes of union. — The animal should be kept as quiet as possible 

 and given such food as will have a tendency to keep the bowels slightly 

 relaxed. The success of the operation will depend chiefly on the skill 

 of the operator, but not alone in the selection and use of the appli- 

 ances ; for as much attention must be given to subsequent manage- 



