326 Surgical Diseases and Surgery of the Dog 



in contact, correct the lateral displacement by direct pressure. Re- 

 duction may usually be effected by steady traction and manipulation, 

 but in some cases where overlapping is great and muscular rigidity 

 mailted, general anesthesia should first be induced. Instead of 

 chloroform or ether, chloretone or chloral hydrate may be admin- 

 istered. The help of an assistant may also be required. The de- 

 gree of overriding present may be approximately ascertained b> 

 measurement of both legs with a tape measure, the injured member 

 being found shorter than its fellow. The actual condition or posi- 

 tion of the fractured ends may be ascertained with the aid of a 

 skiagraph. 



In some cases even if the overriding is successfully reduced, 

 the ends of the bones cannot be maintained in apposition owing to 

 the conformation of the parts preventing accurate bandaging. This 

 is particularly true of, oblique fractures of the scapula, upper ex- 

 tremity of the humerus, and the femur. The only alternative is to 

 undertake suturing of the broken ends. 



Normal apposition being secured, smear the leg freely with oil 

 or vaseKne. A protective layer of any material is bulky and un- 

 necessary, the oil being sufficient to prevent friction, except at pro- 

 minences, which should be protected by padding about, but not on 

 them. If supporting splints are to be used, have them previously 

 moulded or shaped to conform to the contour of the leg, lay them in 

 place, and secure them with strips of adhesive plaster. For large 

 arid medium sized animals splints are best made with strips of poro- 

 plastic felt, which can be moulded to the desired shape after moisten- 

 ing in bot water. A very light and inexpensive splint for the smaller 

 animals may be made out of the thin wooden platters on which 

 pastry-cooks serve pies, and dairymen butter, to their customers. 

 Rectangular splints may be made out of stout cardboard, cut, bent, 

 and glued together as desired. Supports should always be longer 

 than the broken bone. 



Wind the bandage round the leg, commencing from the inferior 

 extremity and giving it a turn as found convenient, and taking care 

 to include the joints at either end of the broken bone. See that 

 the dressing is perfectly dry before the animal is allowed to move. 



The. permanent dressings which find most favor are made of 

 strips of gauze or cheesecloth thoroughly impregnated with dry 

 plaster of paris, sodium silicate, or starch, and rolled. A bandage 



