212 



ANIMAL DENTISTRY. 



the inferior maxilla. In the recent case the diagnosis is 

 equally difficult owing to the liability of the fracture remain- 

 ing a subperiosteal one until displacement occurs from move- 

 ments of the jaw, some days later, at which time the condi- 

 tion continues to be masked by swelling. 



Deformity at the angle, crepitation or movement of the 

 fractured ends felt within the mouth as the jaw is moved 

 with the other hand, and the loosening of one or more mo- 

 lars, will confirm a diagnosis, but in the absence of these 

 plain pathognomonic symptoms the nature of the injury may 

 remain masked until an abscess forms and points to the 



Fig. 146. 

 A Well Healed Comminuted Fracture of the Inferior Maxilla, with Dental 



Complications. 



surface and thereby admits direct palpation of the bone 

 Fracture of the neck of one or both rami is easily recog- 

 nized by palpation. 



In addition to the above phenomena there is always a 

 serious disturbance to mastication. There will be little in- 

 clination to eat during the first days, but finally, from sheer 

 starvation, food will be ingested unmasticated, in which 

 condition it will be found in the feces. The subject will 

 lose flesh rapidly, become emaciated, suffer from colics 

 and probably die. 



Treatment — The principal treatment consists of feeding 

 crushed food and liquid food, in order to prevent unnecessary 



