LAMENESS: ITS CAUSES AND TREATMENT. 347 



to the size of the animal, softened in lukewarm water, is, when suffi- 

 ciently pliable, molded on the outside of the leg, and when suddenly 

 hardened by the application of cold water forms a complete casing 

 sufficiently rigid to resist all motion. Patients treated in this manner 

 have been able to use the limb freely, without pain, immediately after 

 the application of the dressing. The removal of the splint is easily 

 effected by cutting it away, either wholly or in sections, after soften- 

 ing it by immersing the leg in a warm bath. 



FRACTURE OF THE KNEE. 



This accident, happily, is of rare occurrence, but when it takes 

 place is of a severe character, and always accompanied with syno- 

 vitis, with disease of the joint. 



Came. — It may be caused by falling upon a hard surface, and is 

 usually compound and comminuted. Healing seldom occurs, and 

 when it does there is usually a stiffness of the joint from arthritis. 



Symptoms. — As a result of this fracture there is inability to bear 

 weight on the foot. The leg is flexed as in complete radial paralysis, 

 or fracture of the ulna. There is abnormal mobility of the bones of 

 the knee, but crepitation is usually absent. 



Prognosis. — Healing is hard to effect, as one part of the knee is 

 drawn upward by the two flexor muscles which separate it from the 

 lower part. The callus which forms is largely fibrous, and if the 

 animal is put to work too quickly this callus is liable to rupture. In 

 favorable cases healing takes place in two or three months. -Many 

 horses during the treatment develop founder, with consequent drop 

 sole in the sound leg, as a result of pressure due to continuous 

 standing. 



Treatment. — Place the animal in the slings, bring the pieces of 

 bone together if possible, and try to keep them in place by a tight 

 plaster-bf -Paris dressing about the leg, extending down to the fet- 

 lock. Place the animal in a roomy box stall well provided with 

 bedding so that he can lie down, to prevent founder. 



FRACTURE OF THE FEMUR. 



The protection which this bone receives from the large mass of 

 muscles in which it is enveloped does not suffice to invest it with 

 immunity in regard to fractures. 



Cause. — It contributes its share to the list of accidents of this 

 description, sometimes in consequence of external violence and some- 

 times as the result of muscular contraction ; sometimes its takes place 

 at the upper extremity of the bone; sometimes at the lower; some- 

 times at the head, when the condyles become implicated; but it is 

 principally found in the body or diaphysis. The fracture may be 



