20 
J. D. FAIR. 
When we are called to see a patient we are expected to 
make a diagnosis, or, at least, give our opinion. When we are 
not able to make a positive diagnosis, our opinion to the owner 
should not be very elaborate ; but give it as few words as pos¬ 
sible. There is such a thing as not saying enough, but the 
probabilities are we say too much. Where to draw this line we 
must determine by our judgment of human nature. In obscure 
cases, cases that assume a contagious or infectious character, or 
where we are asked to give a final opinion, I think we should 
be guarded in that opinion, and, if possible, call counsel. In 
many cases we lose credit, we divide honors, but censure will 
be just the same. I am frequently called to see cases of frac¬ 
tures. Fractures of the bones of the extremities have proven 
very unsatisfactory to me in my practice. In cattle I have had 
good success. The point I wish you to discuss is ! Is it advis¬ 
able to treat simple fractures of the bones of the extremities 
when occurring in good or ordinary horses ? What are you 
going to advise the owner ? 
Not very long ago I was called to see a Short-horn regis¬ 
tered cow. The history of the case was as follows: The cow 
was placed in the stall in the evening on a ground floor and left 
as usual. In the morning when the owner found her she was 
down in the stall in the usual sitting position, and not able to 
get up. He made several attempts to get her up but failed. I 
was called to see her, and we got her out of the stall, and, with 
the help of a dog, we tried to get her up, but she could not 
stand. I soon discovered that the trouble was limited to the 
right hind leg. She could flex and extend the leg, no short¬ 
ness, no external prominence, no crook nor angle. I moved 
the leg and could not detect any crepitation. I made an exam¬ 
ination per rectum and per vagina. I thought everything was 
normal. Now what are you going to say to the owner? I 
made a guess—Dislocation of the coxo-femoral articulation— 
and explained what that meant, and the owner said: “What 
can you do for her?” I answered, “Nothing.” “Then destroy 
her, and we will see whether you are right.” The owner and 
