332 Surgical Diseases and Surgery of the Dog 



as follows : Make a transverse incision through the skin over the 

 symphysis until the bone is exposed. Approximate the fragments 

 and drill a hole with a fine drill or bradawl transversely through both 

 halves midway between either extremity and near to the margin of 

 the symphisis, so as to avoid the roots of the canines. Then intro- 

 duce the wire, twist it, cut the ends ofif short and let them protrude 

 through the skin wound. With favorable progress, withdraw the 

 wire at the expiration of three or four weeks and promote healing 

 of the superficial wound. 



Fractures through the body are best treated by application of 

 a permanent well-padded leather or wire muzzle, to remain on the 

 animal some three or four weeks. This muzzle must be firmly ap- 

 plied so that no mandibular motion is possible. The animal can 

 be fed on liquids administered by means of a funnel and tube, and 

 allowed to trickle through the teeth. Thirst must also be assuaged 

 in like manner. The mouth should be cleaned and disinfected daily. 



Stockfleth successfully treated a case of unilateral fracture by 

 application of a splint of gutta percha. This was moulded to the 

 normal shape of the jaws and held in place with bandages to include 

 the muzzle and neck. In another instance he observed a comminuted 

 fracture heal by ligamentous union, but the animal experienced 

 considerable difficulty in gnawing bones, etc. 



When reunion fails to take place by this method, the fractured 

 parts must be wired together as described above. Froehner com- 

 pletely removes the broken fragment, but this should not be done 

 until every other method has been tried and found unavailing. 



The Hyoid Bone. Fracture of this bone generally occurs in 

 one of the greater cornua. It may follow violent seizure of an 

 animal by the throat, a method of apprehension in vogue among 

 members of the pound corps in some cities. 



Symptoms and Diagnosis. The symptoms are local swelling, 

 dysphagia, and bleeding from the mouth when the mucosa is per- 

 forated by fragments. 



Treatment. No treatment is possible. 



The Vertebral Coluimi. Fractures in this region are mostly 

 observed in the cervical, lumbar, and coccygeal portions. The prog- 

 nosis depends on the presence or absence of dislocation and the 

 amount of damage sustained by the cord. Unless the spinous pro- 

 cesses alone are concerned, when the cord is seldom injured, dis- 

 location is the rule. 



