FRACTURE OF THE FEMUR IN THE HORSE. 141 
ind leg, running transversely across the anterior of the articu- 
tion, about an inch and a half in length. On introducing the 
robe, a hard body was felt, which at first led to the supposition 
lat she had been staked, and that a piece of wood was lodged in 
le wound. A more careful examination, however, with a lighted 
indie (the stable being lighted from the roof, and the mare unfit 
» be moved from the extreme pain she was suffering) proved 
lat this body was a portion of bone, which had been fractured, 
id which had escaped from its situation, towards the inside of 
le stifle, where it was held by a portion of ligament. The 
olated nature of the fractured portion, the difficulty, or perhaps 
^possibility, of replacing it in its situation, and the few vessels 
le connecting medium possessed, rendered it improbable that 
nion would be effected. I therefore determined to remove it. 
.aving enlarged the wound, and divided the portion of capsular 
gament which retained it in its place, I extracted the bone, 
nd found it to be the upper part of the inner anterior condyle of 
le femur , measuring three inches in length, one inch and a 
alf in breadth, and about an inch in thickness ; in shape nearly 
niilar to the longitudinal section of a hen’s egg. 
After the removal of the bone, the animal seemed very much 
ilieved. The wound was firmly sewed up, adhesive straps applied 
ver it, and +he part ordered to be kept constantly wet with cold 
ater; a laxative bail given, and strict injunctions to disturb 
er as little as possible. 
20th.—Little swelling has taken place: no fever. Suffering much 
mss pain, a slight serous oozing from the wound, feeding well, and 
as remained almost in a fixed position during the night. The 
art to be kept constantly wet with Goulard’s lotion. 
27th.—Considerable swelling has taken place. Pain rather in- 
reased. Fomentations of hot water to be applied to the swell- 
ig, a solution of sulphate of copper to the wound, and her 
ody to be supported by a canvas sling, the near leg having 
egun to suffer from the weight and fixed position. 
28th.—Swelling a little subsided. Continue as before. 
dOth.—Doing well: stitches have not yet sloughed. 1st, to bathe 
lie parts with Goulard’s lotion; and 2d, apply sulphate of zinc 
> the wound. From this time she gradually improved; and 
lthough in this case one of the largest articulations in the body 
yas laid open, and a part of the articular portion of the bone 
emoved, the wound healed in so rapid a manner, that in three 
^eeks she walked without lameness to a loose box, where she 
emained another three weeks, at the end of which time I again 
isitedher, when, on being led out, she trotted several times along 
lie stable yard, apparently sound, with the exception of moving 
