FRACTURES, 427 
of the subject and the mobility of the fracture. Generally it takes a month 
for small animals, or two for those of large species. 
Some care is required in removing it. When made of pitch, it is 
‘soaked in water at 45° or 50°; the pitch softens, and the bands can be 
‘unrolled. This process succeeds also for dextrine or starch splint: the cir- 
cular turns of bands can’also be cut with scissors, the splints are easily taken 
-off and the pad adhering to the skin is pulled off. Plaster moulds resist 
more, and sometimes have to be broken with a hammer; plastered rollers 
-are cut away with pruning-shears. 
The bandage removed, it can be seen if the fracture is consolidated. 
Evidently one must go very carefully, specially if it is feared that the 
-callus is not strong. The animal is afterwards left to himself. The lame- 
ness may not have disappeared entirely, standing on the foot may yet be 
-difficult, but by degrees the motions become more free and the circula- 
‘tion more supple. There are, however, cases where the lameness continues ; 
‘the callus being large, interferes with an articulation, a nerve ora tendon. 
Fine, deep or penetrant points cauterization is indicated to stimulate the 
‘partial resorption of the periosteum, or, when the fracture exists on the 
-lower part of the extremity, neurotomy, which destroys the morbid sensi- 
bility of the parts. , 
We shall be concise in relation to articular fractures and epiphysar 
detachments. 
Open articular fractures are extremely serious: they generally become 
complicated with purulent arthritis. When the fracture is closed, it may con- 
-solidate regularly, without complication; but the repair is generally slow, 
-often imperfect, and may be followed with complications: arthritis and 
-ankylosis are common; an exuberant callus may prevent all motions in a 
joint. There are cases when there is no work of consolidation. In the 
‘treatment of these fractures, immobilization must not be kept too long; 
massage should be made early to avoid stiffness and ankylosis of joints. 
Epiphysar detachments occur in young animals. The reduction and 
-contention are generally difficult, on account of the small size of the 
epiphysar fragment. The treatment is the same as for fractures in 
general. 
Complications of fractures are numerous. Contusions and bloody ex- 
udation are the obligatory epiphenomena of fractures; but when they 
are extensive they constitute a special gravity : tissues extensively contused, 
-crushed under an intact skin, may later on mortify and transform a 
closed into an open fracture; a large bloody effusion has a tendency to 
suppurate ; on that account the slightest wounds must be carefully disin- 
fected and the region protected by a wadded dressing moderately com- 
pressive. Wound of an important artery gives rise sometimes toa diffused 
