lameness: its causes and teeatment. 329 



the bones of the face ; those of the ilium ; and that of the coffinbones. 

 To continue the category, the following are evidently curable when 

 their position and the character of the patient contribute to aid the 

 treatment: Those of the cranium, in the absence of cerebral lesions; 

 those of the jaws; of the ribs, with displacement; of the hip; and 

 those of the bones of the leg in movable regions, but where their 

 vertical position admits of perfect coaptation. 



On the contrary, a compound, complicated, or comminuted frac- 

 ture, in whatever region it may be situated, may be counted incurable. 



In treating fractures time is an important element and " delays are 

 dangerous." Those of recent occurrence unite more easily and more 

 regularly than older ones. 



(2) As a general rule, fractures are less serious in animals of the 

 smaller species than in those of more bulky dimensions. This in- 

 fluence of species will be readily appreciated when we realize that the 

 difficulties involved in the treatment of the latter class have hardly 

 any existence in connection with the former. The difference in 

 weight and size, and consequent facility in handling and making the 

 necessary applications of dressings and other appliances for the pur- 

 pose of securing the indispensable immobility of the parts, and 

 usually a less degree of uneasiness in the deportment of the patients 

 are considerations in this connection of great weight. 



(3) In respect to the utilization of the animal, the most obvious 

 point in estimating the gravity of the case in a fracture accident is 

 the certainty of the total loss of the services of the patient during 

 treatment — certainly for a considerable period of time ; perhaps per- 

 manently. For example, the fracture of the jaw of a steer just 

 fattening for the shambles will involve a heavier loss than a similar 

 accident to a horse. Usually the fracture of the bones of the extrem- 

 ities in a horse is a very serious casualty, the more so proportionately 

 as the higher region of the limb is affected. In working animals it 

 is exceedingly difficult to treat a fracture in such manner as to re- 

 store a limb to its original perfection of movement. A fracture of a 

 single bone of an extremity in a breeding stallion or mare will not 

 necessarily impair the value of the animal as a breeder. Other speci- 

 fications under this head, though pertinent and more or less interest- 

 ing, may be omitted. 



(4) Age and temper are important factors of cure. A young, 

 growing, robust patient whose vis vitae is active is amenable to treat- 

 ment which one with a waning constitution and past mature energies 

 would be unable to endure, and a docile, quiet disposition will act 

 cooperatively with remedial measures which would be neutralized by 

 the fractious opposition of a peevish and intractable sufferer. 



The fulfillment of three indications is indispensable in all fractures. 

 The. first is the reduction, or the replacement, of the parts as nearly 



