FRACTUKKS IN- DOGS. 
549 
6th . — At my request Mr. Youatt was called in to give his 
opinion as to the probability of effecting a cure. He thought, 
from the inconvenient situation of the fracture, that the chances 
of success were doubtful ; and recommended that a plaster com- 
posed of thick sheep-skin and pitch, cut to the shape of the 
parts, be applied, extending from the upper part of the shoulder 
down upon the arm, and reaching to the knee ; and that the 
whole should be enveloped in well-applied bandages, one of 
them being carried over the shoulders and brought round be- 
tween the fore legs, to support the limb, and aid in retaining 
the fractured ends in apposition. Prior to the application of 
the pitch plaster the hair was closely shorn off. Thus bound 
up the dog was replaced in his hamper, and had some aperient 
medicine given to him. 
8th . — The medicine has operated ; and he appears going on 
well, his appetite continuing unimpaired. 
9th . — Last night, through neglect on the part of his keeper, 
he managed to get out of his basket and take a run about the 
yard. For the future let him be chained in his abode. 
10M. — He growls when I open the basket to look at him. On 
examining him (while his keeper had hold of him) I found the 
plaster loosening from its adhesion. I took it off altogether, and 
applied a fresh one, composed of the stopping composition I use 
for horses’ feet. 
June 7th . — Up to this time he has made no escape from his 
basket ; and every thing appears to have been going on properly. 
The fracture feels as if it were completely united, and, as the plas- 
ter continues to adhere firmly, I thought the bandages enveloping 
it, as they were often getting loose, might now be dispensed with, 
and that the dog might with benefit be chained to a kennel, in- 
stead of being so closely confined as he has been. In moving, 
he does not attempt to use the fractured limb, but hops along 
upon the three other legs. 
July . — He has acquired pretty good use of the limb. Being 
now at liberty, he runs about a good deal ; halting, from there 
being some shortness of the limb, but not so much as to prevent 
him being serviceable, as a “ slow” hunter, in the sporting field. 
About a twelvemonth ago l was consulted concerning a blood- 
hound of great size and beauty, and of the cost of £50, that had 
been a cripple in one of his hind limbs for some considerable 
time past, owing, it was said or thought, to having received 
some injury. After a very careful handling and examination of 
the parts about the hips — the places where he expressed pain — I 
vol. xvi. 4 E 
