FRIGHTFUL FRACTURE OF THE HEAD. 123 
by the prominent convexity of the left nasal bone. At this 
time the wound measured upwards of 4 x 3 inches, whereas 
its present dimensions do not amount to above half that extent. 
Two large loose portions of bone — belonging to the malar 
and lachrymal bones — were removed ; there were also several 
loose pieces belonging to the maxillary bone, which were picked 
out, one by one, with the forceps ; in which operation I found 
the superior bulbous termination of the superior turbinated bone 
exposed to view, covered by its membrane, but nowise injured. 
Barring all the appalling circumstances of this extraordinary 
lesion, there was one which told much in favour, of the first 
step at all events, of reparation — and that was, the saving of 
the skin; for this, although extensively lacerated, had very 
fortunately neither been much contused nor torn away : there 
remained ample integument, and that in a sound condition, to 
cover in the yawning wound. After removing all the loose 
bone I could find at the moment, and cleansing the cavity of 
the wound, I lost no time in replacing the flap of skin hang- 
ing down over the face, and confining it, in situ, to the best 
of my ability : preferring for this purpose the metallic (zinc 
wire) suture to the common thread or silk; and great advantage 
in the course of the case I derived from this, since I could with 
ease untwist and twist up again my sutures, or withdraw them 
at pleasure, and without occasioning any disturbance or ir- 
ritation to surrounding parts. 
After the integuments had been drawn together as neatly as 
could be managed, it surprised even myself to behold how 
little blemish or sign remained of that gaping chasm of vital 
surface which but now had created upon the minds of the 
spectators so awful and indeed disgusting an impression. 
From the extent of the fracture, which could not be with any 
precision determined by inspection, though somewhat by the 
effects, it was evident the animal had no power to masticate 
on that side ; and, indeed, I was apprehensive mastication 
might be put a stop to altogether. Such, however, luckily 
did not prove to be the case. He chewed his hay, though 
slowly, on the opposite side, and all along, through the soft food, 
that was given to him, managed to carry on mastication and 
deglutition with sufficient effect to pretty well keep up his 
condition, and thus supersede any necessity for drenching with 
aliment, &c. ; we managed, also, to administer a dose of 
physic, in ball, to him, immediately after the sewing-up of the 
wound. 
To give any thing like a history in detail of the progress of 
this case through the two years and a half it has been running, 
would but occupy time and space to little purpose, while it 
