CHAPTER XI. 
* BONES. 
I. 
CONTUSIONS. 
Contusions of bones are quite frequent in horses. Depending on various. 
conditions (situation of the bone, thickness of the tissues which protect: 
it), its gravity varies principally in proportion to the violence of the shock. 
At times the lesions are limited to the periosteum (undermining and sub- 
periostic bloody extravasation) ; at others, the bony tissue is the seat of 
numerous hemorrhagic centers and of crushing inwards if the trauma has. 
taken place on an epiphysis; the marrow itself may be the seat of a true 
bloody infiltration; and again the contusion upon one face of the bone 
may produce in some cases a chipping off or a fissure of the opposite: 
face. The traumatic center not communicating with the exterior, the 
interested tissues are in favorable condition for cicatrization ; oftener, 
exudates resorb regularly; after two or three weeks there remains noth- 
ing of those alterations. 
For slight contusions which have been received on an exposed or 
badly protected bone, the animal should be left some time at rest. 
Douches or slight revuisive frictions (camphorated alcohol, charge of 
Lebas) favor the repair. With severe contusion, a severe lameness is mani- 
fested immediately, or in the following few days; an cedematous swelling 
appears, which may involve the bony structure ; there may occur high febrile: 
reaction. Often itis difficult to say if there is a simple contusion or a 
split of the bone. Experience for many years has taught that these: 
traumas are frequently complicated with fractures; and it is not ordinarily 
in the first days that they occur, but only after several weeks, when 
rarefying osteitis has diminished the resistance of the bone; these fractures. 
then have for determining cause either muscular contraction while at work, 
or some effort made by the animal, specially in getting up. Therefore, rest 
is again the first indication of treatment for violent contusions of the various. 
bony levers. It is prudent, in serious cases, to place the animal in slings, 
to avoid his lying down and the efforts necessary to get up. The in- 
flammatory phenomena may be treated with cold applications (douches, 
412 
