FRACTUEE OF THE PASTERN. 



301 



ligaments and tendons, and presence of swelling (after a short time) 

 and pain about the hollow of the pastern, are often the only signs 

 by which we can guess the nature of the injury. Sometimes, the 

 bone is broken into a great number of pieces, in which case, treat- 



Fig. 117.— Fracture of the short pastern 

 bone, with bony union of both the 

 pastern and pedal joint. 



ment will be of little or no avail. As the ligaments are strong and 

 numerous about this part, and as the covering membrane is thick ; 

 this fracture frequently occurs without displacement, and a favour- 

 able termination may be expected. After two or three days, the 

 broken bone, on being felt, gives, in the case of the long pastern 



