LAMENESS: ITS CAUSES AND TREATMENT. 335 



sity and there need be no haste for removal or change except under 

 such special conditions as have just "been mentioned, or when there is 

 reason to judge that solidification has become perfect, or for the com- 

 fort of the animal, or for its readaptation in consequence of the 

 atrophy of the limb from want of use. Owners of animals are often 

 tempted to remove a splint or bandage prematurely at the risk of pro- 

 ducing a second fracture in consequence of the failure of the callus 

 properly to consolidate. 



The method of applying the splints which we have described refers 

 to the simple variety only. In a compound case the same rules must 

 be observed, with the modification of leaving openings through the 

 thickness of the dressing, opposite the wound, in order to permit the 

 escape of pus and to secure access to the points requiring the applica- 

 tion of treatment. 



FRACTURE OF CRANIAL BONES. 



Fractures of the cranial bones in large animals are comparatively 

 rare, though the records are not destitute of cases. When they occur, 

 it is as the result of external violence, the sufferers being usually run- 

 aways which have come in collision with a wall or a tree or other 

 obstruction, or it may occur in those which in pulling upon the halter 

 have broken it with a jerk and been thrown backward, as may occur 

 in rearing too violently. Under these conditions we have witnessed 

 fractures of the parietal, of the frontal, and of the sphenoid bones. 

 These fractures may be of both the complete and the incomplete 

 kinds, which indeed is usually the case with those of the flat bones, 

 and they are liable to be complicated with lacerations of the skin, 

 in consequence of which they are easily brought under observation. 

 When the fact is otherwise and the skin is intact, however, the diag- 

 nosis becomes difficult. 



SyTThpioms. — The incomplete variety may be unaccompanied with 

 any special symptoms, but in the complete kind one of the bony plates 

 may be so far detached as to press upon the cerebral substance with 

 sufficient force to produce serious nervous complications. When the 

 injury occurs at the base of the cranium hemorrhage may be looked 

 for, with paralytic symptoms, and when these are present the usual 

 termination is death. It may happen, however, that the symptoms of 

 an apparently very severe concussion may disappear, resulting in an 

 early and complete recovery, and the surgeon will therefore do well 

 to avoid undue haste in venturing upon a prognosis. In fractures of 

 the orbital or the zygomatic bones the danger is less pressing than 

 with injuries otherwise located about the head. 



Treatment. — The treatment of cranial fractures is simple, though 

 involving the best skill of an experienced surgeon. When incomplete 

 hardly any interference is needed ; even plain bandaging may usually 



