LAMENESS: ITS CAUSES AND TREATMENT. 847 
to the size of the animal, softened in lukewarm water, is, when sufli- 
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. 
Cause.—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-of-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 
