FRACTURES. 425 
fractures of the ribs unite notwithstanding the continual movements of 
dilatation and depression of the chest? Let us also say that it is not 
without objections. Compressed under a heavy dressing, the leg “ breathes 
badly,” atrophies, stiffens, ankyloses. ‘To be perfectly curative, the treat. 
ment of fractures ought to reach two ends: immobilize the bony ends 
which are the passive organs of movements, and mobilize the muscles and 
tendons which are its active organs. If there are cases where these two 
conditions cannot exist together, there are some where they do. To this 
point of view, fractures can be divided into two groups: 1, those where 
the abnormal mobility of the bohy fragments is very limited (some frac- 
tures of the phalanges in horses, of one of the metatarpal or metatarsal 
of dogs) ; 2, those where the disposition of the ends of the fractured bone 
is such that they can readily be displaced and easily overlap each other 
(fractures of the cannon, forearm or chank). 
For the lesions of the first kind, nature has provided for the contention ; 
immovable dressings are not necessary and vascular and nervous com- 
pressions are to be avoided. The complete freedom of the leg, a slight 
massage of the fractured region, some passive movements of the surround- 
ing treatment—that is the rational therapeutics. Scarcely is it worth, to 
please the owner, to place on the diseased surface a wadded dressing with 
the splints and a few turns of loose rollers. After some ten days, the ap- 
paratus will be removed to permit massage and mobilization. In case of 
phalangeal fracture in horse, often some apply only a blister upon the 
coronet. ; 
But it would be imprudent to treat in the same manner fractures of 
other bones, where the ends are oblique and greatly displaced. Here the 
first and constant indication is to hold solidly the divided parts in their 
normal position, so that the callus shall not have excessive dimensions. 
It must also be acknowledged that the bandage is “ analgesical ; numerous 
dogs groan continually before the reduction of their fracture, and stop as 
soon as the bandage is on.”’ 
Cagny has published several results obtained in dogs by the method of 
Championniére. The author does nothing, absolutely nothing ; no mani- 
pulation of reduction, no bandages. The wounded animal is placed ina 
quiet place. He can go about, but everything that might cause him to 
make some sudden movement is avoided. As food he gets meat, bone and 
milk, with a little laxative if there is constipation. Recovery occurs rapidly 
without marked deformity, without lasting ameness. The Observation IV 
of Cagny shows that the method is not free from reproach. In a grey 
hound that had a fracture of the tibia, and was, treated by expectation, 
there was left a vety noticeable exostosis, irregularity in motion and a de- 
formity of the leg. We may admit that in this case the owner was to 
