FRACTURE OF THE CARTILAGE OF THE FOOT. 
551 
sented that time should be allowed for the recovery. There being 
considerable contusion about the part, poultices were ordered to be 
applied ; when in the course of a few days abscesses shewed them- 
selves, as in the former case, and they were treated precisely in 
the same manner, by slitting them up with a bistoury, and cutting 
through the plexus of coronary veins. A great deal of hemorrhage 
followed, but this was readily stopped by compress. On removing 
the bandage next day, and exploring the cavities with the finger, 
I could distinctly feel the motion of the fractured substance. 
Thinking that exfoliation was likely to ensue, and that a portion 
of the bone would be cast off, the wounds were dressed with the 
intention of keeping them open ; but granulations were speedily 
thrown out, and the healing process thus quickly brought about. 
All the external wounds closed. The patient was ordered now to 
be kept quiet, and not allowed any exercise, although he was much 
improved in his lameness. In about three or four weeks he was 
turned out in a paddock, and in the course of a short time shewed 
great amendment, going nearly sound. I then examined him, and 
found that there was a considerable enlargement produced by a 
deposition of bony matter, which, no doubt, had brought about a 
union of the parts. The horse being so much better, he was now 
ordered by the proprietor to be turned out a second time at Wil- 
lesdon, a distance of some miles, and when he was again taken up 
was put to work. In this last case there was no doubt as to the 
fracture. The separated bone yielded to pressure, and the manner 
of the restoration confirms the fact. Had I not, however, been 
instructed by the previous post-mortem inquiry, I should not have 
been led to suspect or look for such a lesion. I must nevertheless 
conclude that accidents of this description are not so rare as the 
little notice which has been taken of them might suggest. When 
we remember how exposed the cartilages are by their position, and 
also recollect that they are frequently converted into actual bone, 
as brittle and as unyielding as that of other parts, the possibility 
and probability of their being fractured are apparent. As I do not 
know that any cases of this kind are reported, although I cannot 
think they are of rare occurrence, I have ventured to place the 
above narrative before you, anticipating that it will afford an ex- 
planation to some of those lamenesses which, especially in heavy 
horses, too frequently baffle the skill of the practitioner. 
