FRACTURES.. 437 
The splints, also covered with the same, are placed over the oakum, and 
methodically, from below upwards, the roller is applied from the lower 
end of the leg, carefully avoiding excessive pressure. A thick coat of 
oakum generally protects against gangrenous accidents. 
The application of this roller demands the making of a great many 
“ renversés,” twisting the band on half turn, specially at the elbow, so as 
to insure a close application of the roller, which will be secured to- 
gether by the sticking mixture, to the oakum, to the splints; or again 
may be sewed up with needles and thread. 
During the first days, the patient must be watched closely. High fever, 
anorexia, groans, indicate too much pressure. The cutting of a few turns 
of the band permits to examine the condition of the toes, which sometimes 
are greatly tumefied or already covered with blisters, or almost mortified 
In this semi-sloughing region, the circulation may be restored by sup- 
‘pression of the bandage. But gangrenous accidents are not much to 
be feared when the apparatus has been properly applied. They occur 
only in cases where the pressure is too great at the seat of the fracture 
and when the bandage does not cover the whole length of the leg. 
This method, so successful with small animals, differs little from that of 
‘Lafontaine, and it is not surprising if that operator had obtained good. 
results with it in horses and ruminants. 
For large species, as soon as the standing is firm, continued, and the 
pulsations of the collateral artery of the cannon are felt, Moller recom- 
mends to leave the animal at liberty. The bandage is kept in place for 
six weeks at least. 
With dogs, it is ordinarily removed after three weeks ora month. Gen- 
erally the bony fragments are then firmly united, and it is rare if another 
bandage has to be applied. During convalescence, douches and massage 
are indicated. Locomotion is painful for some time, but by degrees re- 
gains its freedom. 
IT— Radius. 
Well separated from the trunk and but little protected in the greatest 
part of its internal face, the radius is frequently subjected to fractures, 
ordinarily due to traumatisms, falls and sometimes muscular contraction. 
Cases are commonly recorded. Lafosse, Portal, Tassy, Bonnefond, Ros- 
signol, S. Bouley, Degive, Bringard have reported interesting instances." 
1 Walrath has recorded the case of a performing elephant which after an exercise of 
rope-walking was found lame on the inner foreleg with a fracture of the inner forearm. 
He was destroyed and it was found that the ulna was fractured transversely across 
its lower third and the radius also in several pieces.—Am. Vet. Review, vol. to, p- 
319. 
