FRACTURES OF THE METACARPUS. 
561 
I.—FRACTURES OF THE METACARPUS. 
In solipeds and ruminants fracture generally involves all the bones 
of the metacarpus. The small metacarpals seldom escape, still less fre¬ 
quently are they alone fractured. In other animals, particularly in 
carnivora, a single bone may be injured, though it is more common for 
several to be broken at one time. Owing to the thin covering of soft parts 
the closely-applied skin is readily perforated by fragments; compound 
fractures are thus produced, which unite with great difficulty. 
Causes. The most frequent causes are kicks, falls, and in small 
animals, blows with heavy sticks, and injuries from carriages. Where 
all the bones of the metacarpus are broken, diagnosis is seldom difficult, 
the abnormal mobility of the parts, the inability to place weight on the 
leg, and the crepitation pointing clearly to fracture. 
It becomes, however, more difficult where single bones are involved, 
but even then careful palpation is generally sufficient, and crepitation 
can almost always be detected. The most difficult to detect are fractures 
confined to one or other of the small metacarpals, or such as have already 
produced severe swelling. Fissuring of the cannon bone can seldom be 
more than guessed at. Such cases have, hov r ever, been reported. Like 
similar accidents in connection with the pastern and tibia, fissuring of 
the cannon bone is apt to culminate, a few days after its occurrence, in 
complete fracture. 
Course. In all the fractures enumerated recovery is possible, and in 
small animals is fairly rapid. Compound fracture of the cannon bone 
is, however, seldom hopeful, and in the large domestic animals even 
subcutaneous fracture must be viewed as relatively incurable. Only in 
colts or valuable and quiet horses is treatment worth attempting, but 
that complete usefulness may be regained is shown by many reported 
cases. The course of fracture of the metacarpal chiefly depends on 
whether the animal can bear its whole v 7 eight sufficiently long on the 
other foot without producing laminitis and descent of the os pedis. 
Union is readier in cattle than in horses, and in them the lameness 
occasionally left causes no inconvenience. In the small ruminants and 
in carnivora subcutaneous fractures unite in three to six weeks. Fractures 
of the diaphyses of the metacarpal bones unite more easily than those in 
the neighbourhood of joints, but prognosis is unfavourable when a joint 
is-involved. 
Treatment. Reduction is seldom difficult. Before applying a dressing- 
care must be taken to bring the limb into a proper position, and especial 
attention should be given to the position of the hoof or claws. In the 
horse the toe of the hoof, in the ox the interdigital space, is the best 
guide. A plaster bandage is very useful, especially in small animals. 
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