Fracture of the ribs: Bathe the swelling with Humphreys’ Marvel Witch Hazel, and the parts will soon unite.
Fracture of the haunch bone cannot be reduced, but nature will ere long heal it, though with some distortion, one hip will be lower than the other.
Fractures of the leg, from the weight of the animal, are extremely difficult to manage. It can only be done by suspending the animal by stout canvas passing under the belly and attached to rollers on either side and by means of pulleys raising him up so that the feet just touch the ground, the canvas being supplied with heavy bands, before and behind, to keep the body securely fixed in the canvas. The fractured ends of the limb should then be carefully adjusted and the limb wound well with a roller-bandage, then a pair of iron splints, grooved so as to fit the limb, and well wadded with tow; the splint that is behind two or three inches longer than the foot, should be securely bound on. The whole internal bandage should be bathed with Humphreys’ Marvel Witch Hazel and kept wet with it, from time to time, for a week. This will subdue inflammation and hasten the union of the parts. After eight days, the splints should be removed and the limb examined, and again replaced, to remain five or six weeks, at the end of which time the splint may be removed and a simple bandage and lighter splint retained until the cure is perfected in some six weeks longer, when the animal may be trusted to use his limb. If the ends are in proper apposition and maintained there, the union will be perfect, with but little swelling or deformity.
The general treatment of all fractures is to place the parts in apposition, keep them there by proper splints and bandage, and keep the place wet with Humphreys’ Marvel Witch Hazel until the heat and swelling have subsided. Give also a dose of A.A., every two hours, for the first three days, to reduce the heat and fever; then alternate the B.B. with A.A. a dose every three or four hours during the day, to promote reunion.
Sprains or Strains and Dislocations
Sprains of various joints or parts occur which are more or less grave or serious, depending upon the extent of injury or the joint involved. If a bone is displaced it is termed a dislocation. The joint becomes painful, swelling soon ensues, and on comparing the joint with its fellow, we perceive the distortion; the limb is longer or shorter, and the animal moves it with great difficulty or not at all. If the bone is not moved from its position, but the ligaments are merely injured, or torn, or joints otherwise bruised, it is termed a sprain. The swelling in this case is often as severe and even more so than in case of actual dislocation. Yet the accident is not so serious, because in cases of horses and cattle, a dislocation is not always curable, and if the joint be replaced the danger of new dislocation is far more imminent than though it had never occurred.
Causes.—Sprains and dislocations occur from false steps, slipping, leaping across ditches, sudden springing, violent effort in drawing a load, or sudden turning, or from falls, blows, kicks, contusions, etc.
Treatment.—In all such cases the indications are simple, yet the execution of them is sometimes very difficult. For sprains, bathe the parts with Humphreys’ Marvel Witch Hazel, to keep down the swelling and inflammation, renewing the application from time to time at intervals of two, four, or six hours, according to the urgency of the case, and give six doses of A.A. three hours apart, then B.B. morning, noon and night.
Sprains of the Fet-Lock.—A sprain of this joint sometimes occurs, manifested by heat, swelling, and lameness more or less decided, and especially manifested when the horse is moving on uneven ground. When recent, bathe the part with Humphreys’ Marvel Witch Hazel, and saturate a bandage with it, wrap it up, moistening it from time to time, and giving B.B., two or three times per day, fifteen drops at a dose. The pain and lameness will gradually abate.
Luxation of the Patella, or Stifle.—Under the influence of a severe blow, a sudden leap or strain, the patella, or knee-pan is sometimes displaced. The animal holds his leg stiff and extended, cannot rest on it, and when obliged to walk, draws it along. This displacement of the patella is called being STIFLED. The displacement can be reduced by the aid of sufficient help, and placing a side-line with a hopple on the pastern of the affected limb, and drawing the hind leg forward, the surgeon will then, with both hands, bring the bone to its place.