FRACTURES, 44i 
Tf the bony fragments have remained in contact, it is useless to have 
recourse to a bandage as complicated as that of Gombault. With Rey- 
nal, Peuch and Toussaint, we prefer an emplastic bandage. 
Lafosse says: When the fracture is complete, the apophysis is carried 
upwards by the contraction of the olecranon muscles. The coaptation is 
difficult ; too often a fibrous callus forms between the fragments. Insuch 
cases, the flexion of the forearm makes the inter-fragmentary space “ gab ; ” 
on the contrary, extension closes it more or less. There is then advantage 
to carry the leg backwards, to extend the leg, as advised by Delwart. 
To insure the coaptation, one must take pattern on the apparatus of 
Malgaigne for fractures of the olecranon in man; a padded truss, extend- 
ing from the middle of the arm to that of the forearm, should be placed 
in front of the elbow joint and held in position by dextrined or tarred 
rollers. A slip made on each border of this truss, a little below the joint, 
would permit to secure the turns of rollers, oblique upwards and back- 
wards, and which would press downwards the olecranon fragment. -Im- 
mobilization cannot be kept up too long; ankylosis is as much to be 
feared as the fibrous callus. 
In a cow, Gombault has treated successfully a fracture of the lower 
end of the radius. The bandage in such cases can be made of plaster 
or pitch ; it is sufficient for recovery. 
In swine, dogs and cats, the cubitus is a long bone, distinct from the 
radius; it may be fractured alone. The contention is insured by the 
radius. Recovery follows always, even without dressing. Nevertheless it 
is better to apply a plastered, dextrined or starched bandage. 
V.—Carfpus. 
The serious nature of fractures of the carpus is due to the unavoidable 
complication of arthritis and ankylosis. Fortunately, they are very rare. 
Trélut (1868) related the case of a horse, which, falling heavily after 
rearing, crushed the bones of the knee. He was killed; 36 fragments of 
bone were counted, the biggest being the size of a pea. 
Caussé has observed the fracture of the trapezium, on a horse which 
had made violent efforts to relieve himself from a hobble which held him 
attached to the ground. After a few days of unsatisfactory treatment, he 
was destroyed. Fracture of this bone seems to be produced sometimes, 
principally in race-horses, by muscular contraction. It gives rise to severe 
lameness, which diminishes gradually; but a difform callus is formed 
which produces a lameness that sometimes lasts for months. (See 
Splints). 
