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 #een 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. 
Symptoms.—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 
