BOWES : DISEASES AND ACCIDENTS. 279 



Fractures of bones below the fetlock. — These fractures are 

 comparatively unimportant unless associated with other serious 

 injury. The parts can generally be held in position without much 

 difficulty, and union generally takes place quite rapidly 



Appliances. — Of the appliances used in the treatment of the frac- 

 ture of limbs above the knee, splints made of wood or iron strips and 

 bandages are likely to serve best. Below the knee plaster of Paris 

 bandages are preferable. The writer is well aware that many of the 

 standard authors deprecate the use of the latter, but an extensive 

 experience leads me to believe that they have many advantages over 

 any of the other appliances when used alone, and they may in many 

 ways be used with advantage in combination with others. 



DISLOCATIONS. 



Luxation, or displacement of the bones forming a joint without 

 fracture, is comparatively rare among cattle. It most frequently 

 occurs in the stifle joint, where dislocation of the kneepan (patella) 

 takes place. A glance at the skeleton (PI. XXV) will show the rela- 

 tions better than they can be described. It will be observed that the 

 small irregularly shaped bone (patella) plays on the anterior rounded 

 part of the lower end of the thighbone (femur) and between it and the 

 upper end of the shank bone (tibia). The outer ridge on the lower 

 end of the thigh bone is less prominent than the inner one, so that dis- 

 placement, when it does take place, is by slipping outward. Such an 

 accident may occur from direct injury or external force, as a blow, or 

 from slipping. When it does occur the symptoms produced are some- 

 what alarming. The animal is unable to draw the leg forward, and 

 either stands with it thrown back with the toe pointing downward or, 

 if it should succeed in getting its weight upon it, holds it firmly on the 

 ground, fearing to move it. Examination of the outside of the joint 

 will disclose the situation of the patella outside of its proper place. 

 If the operator is not familiar with the normal appearance of the joint, 

 it is well to make a comparison between the injured and the sound 

 one. If compelled to move, the animal does so with great difficulty, 

 jerking the leg which it is unable to bring forward, hopping with the 

 other and partially dragging the injured one. 



Treatment. — The treatment is simple. A rope 20 feet long should 

 be applied around the fetlock of the affected leg, passed forward 

 between the front legs and up over the opposite side of the neck, back 

 over the withers, and wrapped once behind the elbow around that por- 

 tion of the rope which passes between the front legs. The leg is then 

 drawn away from the body and forcibly pushed forward by an assist- 

 ant, while another person tightens up the slack in the rope until the 

 affected leg is off the ground in front of the supporting leg. The rope 

 is then drawn taut and the assistant grasps the tail and pulls the cow 

 toward the affected side. The animal makes a lurch to keep from 

 falling, contracts the muscles, and the patella slips into place with a 



