278 



DISEASES OP CATTLE. 



little inconvenience, and for practical use may be serviceable as before 

 the accident, though the distorted appearance depreciates its value. 



Fracture of the ribs. — Such an occurrence can take place only 

 _ as the result of a direct injury, as from blows or crowding. The pos- 

 terior ribs, being more exposed, are more liable to fracture. Pain in 

 moving, slight swelling over the seat of injury, and difficult breathing 

 are obvious symptoms. If the fracture be complete, crepitation may 

 be occasionally noticed by placing the hand flat over the injured part, 

 observing carefully the motion as the chest contracts and expands 

 during respiration. This symptom is more noticeable when the ani mal 

 coughs. Unless the point of the broken bone penetrates the cavity 

 of the chest the fracture is usually unimportant and calls for no treat- 

 ment other than quiet. If the breathing is very labored and attended 

 with much pain, motion may be limited by applying a wide bandage 

 firmly around the chest. The animal should be restricted in the 

 amount of food and water for a few days, the stomach being kept as 

 nearly empty as possible. Sloppy food should be given to encourage, 

 as much as possible, free action of the diaphragm in breathing. • 



Fracture of bones of the limbs. — On this subject much has 

 been said iu the preceding remarks on general fractures. As a rule, 

 fracture through one of- the large bones of the shoulder (scapula) or 

 thigh (femur) is very difficult to manage. The powerful contraction 

 of the muscles and the changing shape of the limb resulting from 

 their action renders it impossible to retain the detached parts of the 

 bone in proper position. Therefore, though the union should take 

 place, there is almost sure to be considerable deformity and more or 

 less lameness. Fracture of the arm (humerus) or leg (tibia) is likely 

 to be attended with better results. The muscular covering is not so 

 thick, the sheath in which they are held is more tense, and the change 

 in the shape of the limb from muscular action not so noticeable, the 

 muscular force not so great, all of which facilitate replacing in posi- 

 tion the dislodged ends and retaining them. 



Fracture of the knee (carpus) and hock (tarsus). — Unless it 

 is the result of a very violent injury this seldom occurs, and is gener- 

 ally associated with other injury and serious complications. Dis- 

 placement does not generally occur to any considerable extent. The 

 treatment, of course, will consist in holding the limb perfectly quiet 

 in a natural position, which may be done by the application of long 

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



Fractures below the knee.— Fracture of the long bone below the 

 knee (metacarpus) and hock (metatarsus) is more common. In young 

 animals of quiet temperament the treatment of simple fractures here 

 is likely to be attended with good results. On the 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 bones and be likely to 

 lead to serious complications and probably fatal results. 



