ations of moderate
exercise, rest in the slings, and the effect of time while the natural
process of absorption is taking effect upon the callus, with other
elements of change that may be so operating, the horse in due time may
become able once more to earn his subsistence and serve his master.

FRACTURE OF THE SCAPULA.

This bone is seldom fractured, its comparative exemption being due to
its free mobility and the protection it receives from the superimposed
soft tissues. Only direct and powerful causes are sufficient to effect
the injury, and when it occurs the large rather than the smaller animals
are the subjects.

_Cause._--The causes are heavy blows or kicks and violent collisions
with unyielding objects. Those which are occasioned by falls are
generally at the neck of the bone, and of the transverse and comminuted
varieties.

_Symptoms._--The diagnosis is not always easy. The symptoms are
inability to rest the leg on the ground and to carry weights, and they
are present in various degrees from slight to severe. The leg rests upon
the toe, seems shortened, and locomotion is performed by jumps. Moving
the leg while examining it and raising the foot for inspection seem to
produce much pain and cause the animal to rear. Crepitation is readily
felt with the hand upon the shoulder when the leg is moved. If the
fracture occurs in the upper part of the bone, overlapping of the
fragments and displacement will be considerable.

The fracture of this bone is usually classed among the more serious
accidents, though cases may occur which are followed by recovery without
very serious ultimate results, especially when the seat of the injury is
at some of the upper angles of the bone or about the acromion crest. But
if the neck and the joint are the parts involved, complications which
are likely to disable the animal for life are liable to be present.

_Treatment._--If there is no displacement, a simple adhesive dressing to
strengthen and immobilize the parts will be sufficient. A coat of black
pitch dissolved with wax and Venice turpentine, and kept in place over
the region with oakum or linen bands, will be all the treatment
required, especially if the animal is kept quiet in the slings.

Displacement can not be remedied, and reduction is next to impossible.
Sometimes an iron plate is applied over the parts and retained by
bandages, as in the dressing of Bourgelat (Plate XXX); this may be
advantageously replaced by a