~430 VETERINARY SURGICAL THERAPEUTICS. 
the fracture, with its numerous splinters, several fistulous tracts start, and 
the wound is generally soiled with hair, dirt and other foreign substances. 
The infection of a fracture recognizes for cause the introduction, in the 
morbid center of -pathogenous elements deposited by the injuring agent 
‘or the foreign bodies that it carries, the instruments of exploration, the 
fingers of the surgeon, the’ material of the dressings. To purify the 
‘wound, is the first indication; if aseptization is perfect, the fracture 
recovers rapidly; the callus, first embryonic, becomes rapidly bony with- 
out passing through the cartilaginous stage, as in close fractures. 
The dimensions of the external wound vary very much: sometimes 
very small, it must not be explored, irritated or soiled. An abundant 
and lasting flow of blood makes one fear the communication with the 
* center of the fracture. If in doubt, one will act as if the most serious 
lesions existed, the surrounding regions will be shaved, disinfected, and 
the wound freely irrigated with liquor of Van Swieten or strong phenic 
- solution and covered with iodoformed collodion, gauze or wadding; the 
whole followed by immobilization of the leg, as we will show further on. 
If one of the fragments protrudes through the solution of continuity, it 
must be cut off with the saw or sharp shears, specially if the periosteum 
is removed, as its necrosis is necessary fatal. Thorough disinfection as 
above, and then dressing. 
When there is a large wound and with splinters (fractures by wheels of 
carriages, by firearms) the strictest antisepsy is again in order and directs 
‘the further process of the traumatism. The shallows of the wound should 
be freely enlarged and examined. The extent of the wounds should be 
immediately ascertained and decision taken as to whether it is better to 
‘treat the wound oramputate the leg (dog). Ifthe former is decided upon, 
- the loose splinter, uncovered of periosteum, should be removed ; condemned 
to die, they would promote suppuration in the wound, be the cause of 
"lasting fistulas, and later on impose “‘necrotomy.’”’ The splinters, covered 
“with periosteum, protected by an antiseptic dressing, may contribute to 
the repair. If the ends of the bone, which are to unite, are pointed and 
‘sharp, it is better to enlarge their surface of coaptation by cutting a small 
‘part of them with the saw or bone nippers. 
These operations ended, the wound is to be cleaned with extreme 
‘minutize with strong antiseptic solution. Some bony sutures (silver wire) 
and cutaneous as well (silk) may be applied. After free dusting with 
jodoform and boric acid, the wound is filled with iodoformed gauze, or 
sutured and drained. ; 
The bandage of Scullet is the best for complicated fractures: the 
~ wounded region is covered with wadded pads, immobilized with splints 
:and linen rollers. An immovable dressing with dextrine, plaster or gutta- ‘ 
