ACCIDENTS AND OPERATIONS. 



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canine practice. In a case which came under my own care 

 the bone was displaced outwardly, and could be reduced 

 readily by the fingers, but only temporarily. The symptoms 

 of displacement of the patella, whether outwardly or inwardly 

 — the two forms usually met with — are an unnatural projection 

 on the affected side, with inability to flex the joint. Reduc- 

 tion is effected by drawing the leg forward, and then with the 

 fingers forcing the patella back into its place. In the case 

 named, after reduction I fixed on an outside splint, and bound 

 the joint around with a pitch bandage. The case did well, 

 and no return of the luxation, though three years have since 

 elapsed, has taken place, whereas previously it was continu- 

 ally out of position. 



Mr. James Rowe, of London, reports dislocation of the 

 patella as not unfrequent in his practice, and tells me he has 

 successfully treated them in a similar manner to that adopted 

 by me. One case occurred in a cat. 



Dislocation of the Hock. — The same remarks made with 

 reference to the knee will apply here. 



Dislocation of the Toes. — This accident is sometimes met 

 with, and is generally occasioned by leaping or tumbling from 

 heights. Reduction is easily affected by extension, and the 

 subsequent maintenance of the parts in their proper position 

 by bandaging the whole foot, and, if need be, small splints on 

 either side and in front of the affected toe. 



Dislocation, having once taken place, is exceedingly liable 

 to recur. For this reason, excitement and unnecessary move- 

 ments should be strictly avoided. The after-treatment con- 

 sists in observing much the same rules as those laid down in 

 fracture. The patient should be kept quiet. If inflammatory 

 symptoms, with excessive swelling round the affected joint, 

 ensue, warm fomentations or a bran poultice may be applied, 

 and a dose of aperient medicine administered, and if the 

 local inflammatory action is extreme, leeches may be used. 

 Such symptoms, however, rarely occur, except in protracted 

 and aggravated reduction. 



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