518 
FRACTURES IN DOGS. 
colour? Again; it has been asserted that the wild boar, when 
in that state, is always of one colour, brown — but, when domesti- 
cated, puts on a variety of tints. Here is another difficulty, 
which I venture to meet in this way : — Has the wild boar been 
domesticated as such? Can Mr. Low tell us where there is a 
pure breed of the wild pig to be seen now domesticated , and, 
although kept perfectly distinct from the domestic breeds, have 
notwithstanding assumed the habits and colours of the domestic 
breed ? I am sure, Sir, that you will admit your total unac- 
quaintance with so curious a fact, and I challenge at once its au- 
thenticity. This is, indeed, the only way to deal with assertions 
in support of which we have no authentic records — no journal of 
observations — nothing worthy the name of scientific research. 
I am, dear Sir, 
Your’s very truly, &c. 
FRACTURES IN DOGS. 
By William Percivall, M.R.C.S . , Veterinary Surgeon 
First Life Guards. 
Hopeless as cases of fracture in horses generally are, from 
the difficulty experienced in managing the patient, they are by 
no means to be so regarded in dogs. I have in several instances 
seen dogs recover, and with very good use of the parts, if not 
perfect restoration of them, when the accidents have been con- 
sidered, at the time they took place, of a nature so irremediable 
as to render it advisable to destroy the animals. 
F. F/s dog, a valuable Irish spaniel, fell, May 4th, 1839, 
from a high wall, and fractured his off shoulder. On examina- 
tion, I found the os humeri fractured about an inch above its 
radial extremity, causing the limb to drop, pendulously, from the 
side, and depriving the animal of all use of it. The arm — by 
which I mean the fore-arm — was moveable in any direction upon 
the shoulder; and there was distinct crepitus: in a word, the 
nature of the accident was too plain to admit of doubt; nor was 
there any splinter or loose piece of bone discoverable. I directed 
that the animal might be laid flat upon his sound side in a 
hamper or covered basket or box, of sufficient dimensions, but 
not large enough to admit of his moving about; to have his hind 
legs fettered, his mouth muzzled, and his injured parts covered 
with a linen cloth wetted with a spirit lotion. 
May 6th. — The parts are tumefied, but not more, or even so 
much as one i ight have expected. Continue the lotion. 
