Symptomatology.—­When fracture is complete and all support is removed, the leg dangles, and the nature of the injury is so obvious that there is no mistaking its identity.  However, in case of incomplete fracture one needs to base all conclusions upon the history of the case, evidence of injury, or other knowledge of the character of violence to which this bone has been exposed.  For without the presence of crepitation (even by excluding other possible causes for the pronounced lameness which characterizes some of these cases) we can only resort to the knowledge which experience has taught that fracture may be deemed probable in many injuries to the tibial region.  Consequently, we are to look upon all injuries that affect the tibia as being fractures of some sort when there is either local evidence of the infliction of violence or whenever marked lameness attends such injuries, unless there is positive indication that no fractures exist.

A careful examination of parts of the tibia, i.e., noting the amount and painfulness of swellings, exploration with the probe, and observations of the course taken in any given case, will determine the exact nature of injuries.  Such examination needs to extend over a period of a week or in some instances two or three weeks may pass before the true state of affairs is apparent.  In the meanwhile, cases are to be handled as though tibial fracture certainly existed.

Prognosis.—­Prediction of the outcome in tibial fracture is somewhat presumptuous, but in the majority of cases in mature subjects fatality results.  Cadiot[49], however, views this condition with more optimism than have American practitioners.  While he considers the condition grave, in citing case reports of successful treatment by d’Arboval, Duchemin, Leblanc, and others, his conclusion is that many practitioners erroneously consider fractures of the tibia as incurable.

The method of handling these cases by Leblanc is as follows:  The subject is placed in a sling; a pit is excavated below the affected member so that a heavy weight may be attached to the extremity; splints are applied to each side of the leg, which is padded with oakum, and this is kept in position by means of bandages covered with pitch.  The outer splint extends from the hoof to the stifle and the inner one from the hoof to the upper third of the leg.  This method in the hands of Leblanc has been successful in several instances, according to Cadiot.

In a foal the author has in one instance succeeded in obtaining complete recovery in a simple fracture of the lower third of the tibia where the only support given the broken bone was a four-inch plaster-of-paris bandage which was adjusted above the hock.  Below the tarsus a cotton and gauze bandage was applied to prevent swelling of the extremity.  In this instance (an emergency case in which materials that are not to be recommended were necessarily employed) recovery took place within thirty days.