130 
COMMINUTED FRACTURE OF THE TIBIA OF A 
HORSE. 
By H. W. Dyer, M.R.C.V.S., Waterford. 
On Tuesday, the 7th of December, 1858, an aged black 
cart-gelding was employed to draw a log of timber from a 
yard in this town, and not liking his employment he com¬ 
menced kicking furiously, and became entangled in the chains 
used for the purpose of draught, when the hind leg being 
encircled by them, he was so violent that the carter had 
much difficulty in extricating him. It was, however, at 
length accomplished, and the suffering animal led to my 
place. The injuries he received were of such a nature that 
he could use only three legs, the near hind leg being totally 
useless. Upon examination I could discover no actual frac¬ 
ture to have taken place, although about the centre of the 
tibia, as I suggested to the parties in the yard, so much injury 
had been inflicted that it might turn out to be one; but at 
that time the muscles of the thigh were acting with such 
power that I could not, after the closest investigation, ascer¬ 
tain that any fracture of the limb existed. 
After this most minute examination, I directed that the 
horse should be left with me, so that I might watch the case 
and resort to such means as were considered by me necessary 
under the circumstances. I therefore had him led into a 
large stall in my long stable, and there he remained until the 
following Sunday, when I perceived unmistakeable symptoms 
of fracture, viz., spasmodic action of the muscles. Matters 
went on in this way up to Tuesday morning, when it was 
found that the bones had become disunited, and the limb was 
held suspended. I wrote to the owners, stating that the 
fracture had now become complete, and wished for their 
instructions as to the disposal of the horse. 
I should, perhaps, have before stated, that I had written 
to the firm, giving the result of my examination of the 
injured limb the day the accident happened. To my utter 
astonishment I received a letter by post on the next day— 
Wednesday— stating how greatly surprised they were to hear 
that such an accident had occurred to the horse when under my 
charge , at my own place, and begged to know the particulars, 
&c. Their request was immediately complied with, and I 
wrote a full description of the way in which the injuries were 
received, as made known to me by the proprietor of the 
timber yard, who was an eye-witness to the whole affair. 
