224 The Diseases of Animals 



FRACTURE OF HIP BONE 



The condition that causes a horse to be "hipped" 

 is due to a fracture of the crest of the ilium, at the 

 point of the hip. The large muscles attached to the 

 bone draw the broken piece downward. It usually 

 results from striking the point of the hip against a 

 door-post or similar obstacle, and, in some cases, 

 from kicks by other animals. It is also seen in cows, 

 but not so frequently. No treatment can be ap- 

 plied. The animal generally recovers, but the point 

 of the hip does not return to its normal condi- 

 tion, and the affected hip is noticeably lower than 

 the other. This condition rarely causes any inconve- 

 nience to the animal, and is only noticeable as a 

 blemish. 



ULCERATION OF BONE 



When a bone has been injured so as to destroy 

 the tough, fibrous membrane (periosteum) that covers 

 the outside, the bone may ulcerate and a running sore 

 form, which discharges a thin, watery pus. This con- 

 dition can usually be recognized by passing a small 

 metal probe into the wound, when the hard denuded 

 bone can be distinctly felt. This condition usually re- 

 quires a surgical operation, cutting down upon the 

 injured bone, scraping away the diseased part, remov- 

 ing any lumps or splinters of bone that may be found, 

 bringing the parts together and treating it as a simple 

 wound. A solution of one part of peroxid of hydrogen 

 to two or three parts of water injected into such a 



