Hillsboro recorder., 1888-04-05
Animals With Broken Legs.

Every owner of domestic animals oe.
casionally experiences losses from aeci-
dental injuries, and this is especially
true of breeders who have animals run.
ming together in numbers in yards or
pastures, writes Major Alvord in the
dfnericda CultiCdtor. Broken legs are
not uncommon with horses and cattle of
various ages, and the question always
arises as to the best course to pursue.
There is q very prevalent disposition to
regard a broken leg as incurable, and
hence to at once condemn to death the
unfortunate animal. In some cases such
q decision is undoubtedly justified
by the circumstances. The animal
may be old or its value so low, the
injury so serious or the season of the
year so unpromising, as to render it
probable that the doubt of cure or its
cost If secured will offset the possible
benefits derived.
Too often, however, particularly when
young animals are killed as soon as
broken legs are discovered it is true,
but If veterinary skill cannot be OBJ
tanned, nature and common sense may be
combined to bring about substantial re.
covery. A few cases in my experience,
to which have been added The cbserya-
tion or account of others similar, lead me
to believe that where horses and cattle
have broken legs and are of sutfi-
cient value to warrant some expenditure
OF time and labor and are not too old an
effort should be made to save them.
Where possible, it is doubtless true econ
omy to employ the best veterinary as
sistance IN such cases. Country doctors.
in general practice are pretty good COM
parative anatomists, and are usually
found willing to apply their surgical
skill to injured animals. The animals
themselves will generally do much to-
ward recovery If only placed under fa-
vorable conditions and reasonably as
sisted by their owners.
Some years ago o two-year-old colt,
with Others in an outlying pasture, was
found with foreleg broken above the
knee and hanging limp and useless. 1t
was early June, hot weather Just coming
on. The animal, though fairly gentle,
had never been accustomed to stall or
harness. / knew it was useless to attempt
putting II in sling or adjusting splint
and bandage il left in pasture. There
was q small lot available, with ex-
eellent grazing, water and shade. In
this the colt was placed, simply watched,
given little extra nourishment in the
form Of oats, and left to its fate. The
leg hung in such a way that the bone was
in q natural position, and the muscles
were used TO keep the foot clear of the
ground. The animal moved about on
three legs fora month, took care Of the
one injured, and / do not think it at
tempted to lie down during this time.
Then il began 10 put its foot to the.
ground and gradually TO use the leg. BY
the time pasturage failed in the fall Il
had q substantially sound leg again, and
was useful animal for years. When
trotting it showed slight lameness. prob.
ably due to little shortening Of the in
jured leg, but in field work and for all
ordinary farm purposes it proved q
thoroughly serviceable horse.
A valuable heifer Just year old had
one hind leg very bldly broken, in
eluding az ugly flesh wound, while un-
loading from wagon. This leg was set,
put in q still plaster bandage for weeks,
the animal kept in a box stall, lying
down most OF the time. After a long
and varied experience with surgical as.
sisfance, making case Of much interest,
but which cannot now be described in
detail, the animal recovered 10 such an
extent that, although she has an awk.
ward leg, she is good COW and regu-
lar and profitable breeder.
Within few weeks thrifty calf, run
ming in q covered yard. showed great
lameness, and on examination the bone
Of fore leg was found broken between
the knee and the ankle. It was evidently
caused by blow from. I fear, By y
brutal attendant. now discharged. The
age and condition Of the animal was
similar to that Of the colt, 30 no attempt
was made 70 sling IL and use bandagc.
The calf has been comfortable and safe
place, fed well, and simple applications
have been made to reduce inflammation
and keep its foot entirely free from the
ground, and this has retarded the heal.
ing. But il Is now using the leg, and
while there has been q bony growth
which will enlarge the leg and be q blem.
ish, ] do not anticipate much permanent
lameness, and expect TO see the little fell
low become sound scrviceable bull.