e will then be placed around the inferior
part of the leg below the point of fracture, with which to produce
extension, and this will sometimes be furnished with a block and
pulleys, in order to augment the power when necessary; there is, in
fact, always an advantage in their use, on the side of steadiness and
uniformity, as well as of increased power. It is secured around the
fetlock or the coronet or, what is better, above the knee and nearer the
point of fracture, and is committed to assistants. The traction on this
should be firm, uniform, and slow, without relaxing or jerking, while
the operator carefully watches the process. If the bone is superficially
situated he is able, by the eye, to judge of any changes that may occur
in the form or length of the parts under traction, and discovering, at
the moment of its happening, the restoration of symmetry in the
disturbed region he gently but firmly manipulates the place until all
appearance of severed continuity has vanished. Sometimes the fact and
the instant of restoration are indicated by a peculiar sound or "click"
as the ends of the bones slip into contact, to await the next step of
the restorative procedure.

The process is the same when the bones are covered with thick muscular
masses except that it is attended with greater difficulties from the
fact that the finger must be substituted for the eye and taxis must take
the place of sight.

It frequently happens that perfect coaptation is prevented by the
interposition, between the bony surfaces, of such substances as a small
fragment of detached bone or a clot of blood; sometimes the extreme
obliquity of the fracture, by permitting the bones to slip out of place,
is the opposing cause. These are difficulties which can not always be
overcome, even in small-sized animals, and still it is only when they
are mastered that a correct consolidation can be looked for. Without it
the continuity between the fragments will be by a deformed callus, the
union will leave a shortened, crooked, or angular limb, and the animal
will be disabled.

If timely assistance can be obtained, and the reduction accomplished
immediately after the occurrence of the accident, that is the best time
for it, but if it can not be attended to until inflammation has become
established and the parts have become swollen and painful, time must be
allowed for the subsidence of these symptoms before attempting the
operation. A spasmodic, muscular contr