The Bulletin 
15 
False joints may be the result of necrosis of the ends of fragments, 
the poor supply of blood to the fragments, defective nerve influence, 
as may occur in injury of the spinal cord, malignant growths, and 
osteomalacia. 
Compound fractures or open fractures are those where there is a 
wound through the skin and other soft structures extending into the 
fracture. This form may be produced in different ways. The vio¬ 
lence causing the break of the bone may be sufficient to tear open the 
soft tissue, or a fragment may be forced through the parts, or the bird 
in its movements after the accident may force one of the fragments 
through the soft structure and the skin. Ulceration may take place 
later in a bruised or injured part directly over the fracture. This 
necrosis is preceded by congestion, then inflammation and molecular 
death. 
A wound in compound fracture may be large or may be nothing more 
than a small puncture. In the case of gunshot wound, and where large 
animals have stepped on the limb, the bone may be badly crushed. If 
the wound be a small puncture, with no infection, and the bird is greatly 
resistant to infection, the repair may take place as in simple fracture. 
When the wound is large and infection has taken place (which infection 
may be septic), and there has been laceration of the soft part (or com¬ 
minution of the bone), union is affected by granulation from the ends 
of the fragments and periosteum, the process being similar to union of 
soft parts by second intention or by granulation. The loose parts and 
fragments are cast off by sloughing. If the fragment is in connection 
with the periosteum and receives nourishment, it may be retained. If 
the portion of the bone be denuded of periosteum, that part usually 
undergoes necrosis and is cast off. If it is not properly cast off, and is 
surrounded by new bone, it may remain a source of irritation. Some 
of the dangers of these compound fractures are necrosis of bone, gan¬ 
grene of the limb, and septicemia. 
In applying the bandage to an open fracture it is best to place a 
small piece of cork or wood over the wound and, after applying the 
dressing, cut down through the dressing and remove the cork. In this 
way a drainage window is established and through this the wound may 
be treated daily with an antiseptic wash. 
Vicious union is a condition which results where the leg has been 
improperly set or the bandage removed too early and the weight of the 
bird causing the bone to unite at an angle. In this case deformity of 
the limb is the result. 
A series of cases were studied from a practical treatment stand¬ 
point. Figure 6 is a rontgengraph showing a normal femur. Figure 
7 shows a rontgengraph of a properly set fracture. Figure 8 is a 
rontgengraph which shows an improperly set tibia. This is of three 
