FRACTURE OF THE TIBIA. 
703 
In all animals, lissures and green-stick fractures unite in fourteen 
days to a month, provided the fracture remain incomplete. The animals 
require to be absolutely rested in slings for three or four weeks. The 
less the lameness, the better the chance of recovery. Fractures of the 
malleoli aie unfavourable, especially in working-horses ; and as lameness 
is generally severe, the continuous weight thrown on the other foot may 
lead to laminitis. 
\\ hen instituting treatment, the above-mentioned possibility of fracture 
must always be kept in mind, and every injury of the inner surface of 
the tibia, whether extending to the bone, or causing severe lameness, 
should be followed by three to four weeks’ complete rest, the animal 
being placed in slings, or tied up short. Severe lameness consequent on 
periostitis is best treated with cold applications, followed by blisters. 
Further treatment must be expectant. 
Cases of complete fracture should be placed as soon as possible in 
slings, reposition attempted, and a plaster-of-Paris, tripolith, or adhesive 
plaster bandage applied. Adhesive plaster has the advantage of not 
slipping down so easily, Stolz recommends a mixture of 2 parts resin 
with 1 part wax; Frickers, 5 parts gutta percha, 2 parts lard, and 1J 
part wax. These mixtures are smeared on strong linen or leather, which 
is applied after the skin has been cleansed and dried. Leblanc, who 
successfully treated several cases, placed the animal in slings, dug a 
shallow pit below the affected limb, to which he attached a heavy weight. 
(.After a time the muscles become fatigued and reposition can be effected.) 
Leblanc, after setting the limb, applied masses of tow and two large 
splints, the outer extending from the hoof to the stifle, the inner from 
the hoof to the middle of the thigh. The whole limb was then enveloped 
in bandages plastered with pitch. In oxen, with fracture of the lower 
part of the tibia, a plaster bandage may be used. These animals 
sometimes recover without treatment of any kind. 
The application of plaster or tripolith bandages is easier in small 
ruminants and carnivora, but to be efficacious the dressing should be 
carried below the hock, and as far upwards as possible ; by including 
the stifle-joint the security of the dressing is greatly increased, and the 
use of the “saddle” rendered unnecessary, otherwise it can scarcely 
be dispensed with. It is formed by passing the bandage over the back, 
and around the opposite limb. (See treatment of fractured humerus.) 
When applying the bandage particular attention should be given to 
the position of the limb, to prevent the fragments uniting in faulty 
relation to one another. If union occurs with the parts rotated, move¬ 
ment is greatly interfered with. Before applying dressings to a compli¬ 
cated fracture, the wound should be carefully disinfected and covered 
with a layer of sterilised wadding. In case the parts cannot be rendered 
