FRACTURES OF THE OS CORONJE AND OS PEDIS. 
603 
causes pain. Slesarewsky saw fracture of the os pedis in consequence of 
a large portion of the hoof being torn away by the foot catching in some 
obstacle. Several pieces of hone were pulled off with the horn, but 
recovery followed the use of carbolic dressings. 
Prognosis is most favourable in fissures of the os suffraginis, after 
which many animals recover their usefulness if rested for six to eight 
weeks, provided laminitis does not attack the other foot from the con¬ 
tinuous standing. Complete fractures of the os suffraginis have also 
been known to reunite. Popow describes five cases of fracture of the 
os suffraginis which recovered under the use of the plaster bandage, 
though in two cases the fetlock-joint became anchylosed. In two cases 
the coronet-joint was affected, and in one both joints. In the case 
described by Haider, the animal could be put to light field-work after a 
month’s rest, though slight lameness and thickening of the os suffraginis 
remained. Both Kretowicz and Wilhelm saw transverse fractures of the 
os suffraginis of hind feet unite completely in a few months. T. A. Dollar 
successfully set the fractured near fore pastern of “ Sceptic ” when the 
animal was six months old. The hone was broken into four or five frag- 
o 
ments, and there was considerable displacement. “Sceptic ” afterwards 
won thirteen races, many of importance. Foals and yearlings are much 
more hopeful subjects than full-grown animals, and even though a large 
callus forms and lameness persists for a time, the animal may eventually 
be rendered useful by neurectomy. As a rule, it is only worth while 
treating complete fractures when the horses are young, are valuable for 
breeding, or can be kept for a small sum. Compound fractures are 
generally incurable, though a few have been successfully treated by 
antiseptic methods. 
Fractures of the os coronse are still less favourable, recovery being 
incomplete, and lameness remaining even in quiet animals, and where 
the fracture is simple. As a rule, the bone becomes greatly enlarged, 
and excessive volar flexion, particularly of the fetlock-joint, sets in, and 
is followed by permanent lameness. 
Fracture of the os pedis is less dangerous, because the parts are held 
in position by the hoof. Becovery chiefly depends on whether the other 
foot endures the strain of continued standing without suffering from 
laminitis. The prognosis is therefore ruled by the degree of pain. In 
Wustefeld’s case the hoof became enlarged from pressure exerted by the 
displaced fragments. 
Compound fractures of the os pedis or os coronse, caused, for example, 
by picked-up nails, are generally incurable, on account of the impossi¬ 
bility of securing asepsis, though, when the case is quite recent; and 
disinfection thorough, healing sometimes occurs in a comparatively 
short time. 
