CHAPTEB XIX. 

 FOOT AND LIMB TROUBLES. 



Diseases of the feet and limbs are usually brought to 

 the stockman's notice by the presence of lameness in the 

 animal affected, therefore we are justified in considering 

 lameness a symptom of disease in the parts mentioned, 

 it being an expression of pain in one or more limbs dur- 

 ing movement. While the lameness may be plain the 

 location of that lameness is far from plain, and in many 

 cases will perplex even the expert veterinarian; to aid 

 us in the detection of the diseases certain symptoms have 

 been noticed as accompanying certain conditions; e. g., 

 if the animal is lame in the shoulder, the foot is kept be- 

 behind its fellow, the limb and knee relaxed the toe 

 touching the ground, the limb may be said to hang 

 loosely and when brought forward it describes an out 

 turn; the forearm is extended, the knee flexed and the 

 foot is on a level or behind its fellow in elbow lameness. 



Lameness may be shown when the foot of the lame leg 

 is on the ground, e. g., in corns, when the foot is off the 

 ground stiffness of the knee may be shown although little 

 pain is evidenced. It is useful to know that lameness 

 may be partially hidden (masked) in a horse by the 

 manipulation of the groom, such as exciting him, show- 

 ing him on soft ground, preventing the animal break- 

 ing into a trot by holding him tightly by the head and 

 by keeping the sound side to the examiner. The lame 



