Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1888-03-03
VENDING BROKEN LEGS,


MENDlNG BROKEN LEGS,
MAJOR Aivord Gives II Page or Two Out q
n His Own Experience.
Every owner of domestic animals oc
T. %casionally experiences losses from ne
cidcntal injuries to them. and this il
especially true of breeders who hay,
animals running together in numbers,
in yards or pastures. Broken LEGS are
v not uncommon with horses and cattl,
OF various ages, and the question al.
, ways arises rs to the best course to pur,
sue. The prevalent disposition is to
regard II broken leg as incurable (and
this in spite of abundant evidence to
\ the contrary, and to condemn the I'M
fortunate animal ut once to death.
There are cases, undoubtedly, in which
. tins IS the better course, as where the
age or small value of the animal will not
warrant the expenditure of money and
valuable time upon It. But in other
eases it pays well TO mend the broken
leg.
Too often, however, particularly when
young animals are killed as soon as
broken legs are discovered, it is true,
even if veterinary skill can not be OBJ
tanned, nature and common sense may
be combined to bring about substantial
recovery. A few eases in my expert
cncc, to which have been added the OBJ
%Scrvatlon or account OF others similar.
lead me to believe that where horses
and cattle have broken legs, and are of
sufficient value to warrant some ey-
pcndlture Of time and labor, and not
too old, an effort should be made
to save them. Where possible it IS
doubtless true economy to en-
: ploy the best veterinary assistance
in such cases. Country doctors, in
general practice, are pretty good COM
paratlve ANTAGONISTS, and are usually
found willing to apply their surgical
skill to injured animals. The animals |
themselves will generally do much to.
wards recovery. if only placed under
favorable conditions and reasonably
assisted by their owners.
Some years ago Il two-vcar-old colt.
with Others in m outlying pasture, was
found with a fore lee broken above the
knee and hanging limp and useless. Ii
was early June, hot weather fast com.
ing on; the animal, although fairly
gentle, had never been accustomed 70
stall or harness. | knew it was useless
to attempt putting it il a sling, or ad-
justing Il splint and bandagc if left in
pasture. There was u small lot avail.
able, with excellent grazing, water and
shade. In this the colt was placed.
simply watched, given a little extra
nourishmont in the form of oats, and
left to his fate. The leg hung in such
a way that the bone was in Il natural
position. and the muscles were used to
keep the foot clearo of the ground. The
animal moved about on three lers fora
month, took good care of the one in
lured, and do not think it attempted
TO lie down during this time. Then il
began to put its foot to the ground and
gradually to use the LEG. BY the time
pasturage failedin the fall it had asub-
stantially sound leg again, and was
useful animal for years. When trot.
ting if showed slight lamcness, proba.
bly, due to Il little shortening of the in.
iured leg, but in field work and for all
ordinary farm purposes ii proved a
thoroughly serviceable horse.
A valuable heifer just a year old had
one hindleg very badly broken. includ-
ing an ugly flesh wound, while unload.
ing from u wagon. This leo was sot
put in Il stiff plaster bandage for weeks.
the animal kept in Il box stall. lyino
down most of the time. After a LONE
and varied experience with surgical a..
sistance, making u ease of much inter.
est. but which can not now be de-.
scribcd in detail, the animal recovered
to such IN extent that. although she
has an awkward leg, She is a GOOD
COW and a regular and profitable
breeder.
Within a few weeks a thrifty calf
running in Il covered yard, showed
great lameness, and on examination
the bone OF II foreleg was found broken
between the knee and the ankle. 1t
was evidently caused by a blow, from,
J fear, Il brutal attendant. now dis
.haeged. The age and condition of
animal were like those of the colt
no attempt was made to sling it and
use II bandage. The calf has been
given n comfortable and safe place.
led well and simple applications have
been made to reduce inflammation and
keep the leg in IL favorable condition.
has been impossible for the creature
% keep its foot entirely clear of the
ground. and this has retarded tho
healing; but it is o using the leg,
md while there has been a bonv
growth. which will enlarge the leg and
II blemish, do not anticipate much
permanent lameness, and expect to see
The little fellow become IA sound. ser.
bull.-Maior H. &. Aiyord. in J