20) The Diseases of Animals 
especially in small, short bones; but, by grasping the 
two extremities and moving or twisting them, the 
crepitus, as the broken parts grate over each other, is 
distinetly felt or heard. Pain is usually a well-marked 
accompaniment of fracture. Any movement of the part 
irritates the animal. Swelling usually follows in a 
short time, in the region of the broken part, especially 
if the bone be covered by soft tissues. 
The treatment of fracture consists in replacing the 
broken bones in their normal positions and keeping 
them there without movement until they have knit or 
grown fast together. This is a more difficult matter 
in animals than in the human subject, owing to the 
difficulty in controlling the movements of the animal. 
It is seldom worth while to attempt to treat severe 
comminuted fractures, when the bone is crushed into 
pieces. If the ends of the broken bones have slipped 
by each other, it is necessary to pull them apart until 
the broken ends ean be brought squarely together. 
Dogs should always be muzzled, to prevent their biting 
the operator. It is often a good plan to give the small 
animals ether, as it not only does away with the pain 
but renders the muscles limp, so that the part may be 
easily set; and it keeps the animal quiet during the 
operation. After the bones are placed in position, the 
part should be covered with two layers of flannel ban- 
dage, smoothly apphed. This is to allow for swelling 
of the part and to prevent the splints from injuring 
the skin. Over the flannel bandage splints ean be 
applied. These are thin strips of wood, or other light, 
stiff material, that can be shaped to the part, placed 
