The subject of fractures and dislocations is one which could with propriety be omitted from this work; for to those only who have made the anatomy of the dog a study, and who are perfectly familiar with his bony structure can an exhaustive treatise on the subject be comprehensive.

For other than a skilled surgeon to attempt the treatment of a fracture or the reduction of a dislocation, he must the more often grope about in the dark, flounder in the mire of uncertainty, inhumanly torture his helpless friend, and fail entirely in his purpose to repair the injury, or at best leave him permanently deformed. For this reason it is apparent that the discussion of the procedures of treatment is not only useless but pernicious, inviting attempts to do what only a surgeon should undertake.

To know when a fracture or dislocation does exist is important, therefore diagnosis and a brief consideration of the subject generally is admissible.

Fracture is said to be simple, when there is no wound of the skin com. municating with the broken part; compound, when there is such a wound; comminuted,when the bone is broken in several fragments. In young animals fracture is sometimes partial, part only of the fibres breaking and the rest bending; to such the name green-stick or willow fracture is given. The long bones are most commonly broken; but any other may give way to direct violence.

The symptoms of fracture are deformity; such as displacement, bending, shortening, or twisting. Unnatural mobility; as shown by grasping the two ends of a broken bone and moving each independently of the other, or the yielding of a part on pressure. Crepitus; a grating heard or felt when the broken ends are rubbed against each other.

Of these three signs deformity is often absent in fractures of the ribs, pelvis, and shoulder blade; crepitus is prevented when the broken ends are displaced, and can only be felt when they are drawn into their natural positions. In addition to these symptoms there is more or less pain, swelling, and helplessness of the injured part. Dislocations arc characterized by deformity and displacement. The external appearance of the joint is changed, the prominence disappears or moves to another part, usually leaving a depression in its place. A dislocated limb may be longer or shorter than the normal, according as the head of the bone is displaced upward or downward. It loses its mobility; can no longer be moved about freely and in as many directions. Movements cause pain, and some swelling occurs.

To distinguish between fracture and dislocation is rarely difficult; in the latter crepitus is absent, the bone can be moved less freely than natural, while in fracture mobility is increased. If a broken bone is drawn into its proper shape and position the deformity then disappearss but returns as soon as extension is discontinued; when a dislocated bone is drawn into place it will usually remain there.

When your dog has been injured, and the symptoms of fracture or dislocation arc apparent or suspected, seek the aid of a surgeon as you would do had an accident of equal severity befallen any other near and dear friend.