lameness: its causes and tbbatment. 337 



fractures of the lower jaw. 



A fracture here is not an injury of infrequent occurrence. It 

 involves the body of the bone, at its symphysis, or back of it, and 

 inchides one or both of its branches, either more or less forward, 

 or at the posterior part near the temporomaxillary articulation, at 

 the coronoid process. 



Falls, blows, or other external violence, or powerful muscular con- 

 tractions during the use of the speculum, may be mentioned among 

 the causes of this lesion.. The fracture of the neck, or that portion 

 formed by the juncture of the two opposite sides, and of the branches 

 in front of the cheeks, causes the lower jaw, the true dental arch, to 

 drop, without the ability to raise it again to the upper, and the 

 result is a peculiar and characteristic physiognomy. The prehension 

 and mastication of feed become impossible; there is an abundant 

 escape of fetid and sometimes bloody saliva, especially if the gums 

 have been wounded; there is excessive mobility of the lower end of 

 the jawbone ; and there is crepitation, and frequently paralysis of 

 the under lip. Although an animal suffering with a complete and 

 , often compound and comminuted fracture of the submaxilla pre- 

 sents at times a serious aspect, the prognosis of the case is com- 

 l>aratively favorable, and recovery is usually only a question of time. 

 The severity of the lesion corresponds in degree to that of the vio- 

 lence to which it is due, also to the resulting complications and the 

 situation of the wound. It is simple when at the symphysis, but 

 becomes more serious when it affects one of the branches, and most 

 aggravated when both are involved. Fracture of the coronoid proc- 

 ess becomes important principally as an evidence of the existence of 

 a morbid diathesis, such as osteoporosis, or the like. 



The particular seat of the injury, with its special features, will, 

 of course, determine the treatment. For a simple fracture, without 

 displacement, provided there is no laceration of the periosteum, an 

 ordinary supporting bandage will usually be suflScient, but when 

 there is displacement the reduction of the fracture must first be 

 accomplished, and for this special splints are necessary. In a fracture 

 of the symphysis or of the branches the adjustment of the fragments 

 by securing them with metallic sutures is the first step necessary, to 

 be followed by the application of supports, consisting of splints of 

 leather or sheets of metal, the entire front of the head being then 

 covered with bandages prepared with adhesive mixtures. During 

 the entire course of treatment a special method of feeding becomes 

 necessary. The inability of the patient to appreciate the situation, 

 of course, necessitates a resort to an artificial mode of introducing the 

 necessary feed into his stomach; this is accomplished by forcing 

 between the commissures of the lips, in a liquid form, by means of a 



36444°— 16 ^22 



