354 THE THIGH. 



parts together again, and retaining them in their natural position. The 

 power of nature, however, will gradually unite them, but that union will be 

 attended by deformity and lameness. A charge^ or very strong adhesive plaster, 

 across the haunch may be useful, as helping, in some slight degree, to support the 

 parts, and hold them together. 



THE THIGH. 



In the lower and fore part of the hip-bones is a deep cavity or cup for the 

 reception of the head of the thigh-bone*. Although in the movement of the 

 hind legs there cannot be the concussion to which the fore legs are exposed (for 

 the weight of the body is never thrown violently upon them), yet in the 

 powerful action of these limbs there is much strain on the joints, and we shall, 

 therefore, find that there are, in all of them, admirable provisions against 

 injury. The head of the upper bone of the thigh is received into a deep cup 

 (the acetabulum}^ by which it is surrounded on every side, and dislocation from 

 which would seem almost impossible. But the bony cup may give way ? Not so, 

 provision is made against this. All three of the haunch -bones unite in the 

 formation of this cup, and the sutures by which they are held together are of 

 such a nature, that, generally speaking, no shock, or exertion, or accident, 

 can disunite them. There is even something more in order to make the at- 

 tachment doubly sure. In addition to the usual capsular and other ligaments, 

 a singularly strong one rises from the base of the cup, and is inserted into the 

 head of the thigh-bone, seeming as if it would render separation or disloca- 

 tion altogether impossible. Such, however, is the strange power of the muscles 

 of the hind limbs, that, with all these attachments, sprain of the ligaments of 

 the thigh, or the round bone, as horsemen call it, and even dislocation of it, are 

 occasionally found. 



The thigh-bone is both the largest and strongest in the frame. It is short 

 and thick, and exhibits the most singular prominences, and roughnesses, and 

 hollows, for the insertion of the immense muscles that belong to it. Four pro- 

 minences, in particular, called by anatomists trochanters, two on the outside, one 

 on the inside, and one near the head of the bone, afford attachment to several 

 important muscles. The head of the bone is placed at right angles with its 

 body, by which this important advantage is gained, that the motion of the 

 thigh -joint is principally limited to the act of bending and extending, although 

 it possesses some slight lateral, and even some rotatory action. The lower head 

 of the thigh-bone is complicated in its form. It consists of two prominences, 

 which are received into corresponding depressions in the next bone, and a hollow 

 in front, in which the bone of the knee or stifle plays as over a perfect pulley. 



A short description of the muscles of the hinder extremities may not be unin- 

 teresting to the horseman. The next cut will contain a few of them. 



The muscles of the hinder extremity are more powerful than those of any 

 other part of the frame, therefore an axtraordinary provision is made to con- 

 fine them in their respective situations, and thus contribute to their security and 

 strength. When the skin is stripped from any part, we do not at once arrive at 

 the muscles, but they are thickly covered by a dense, strong, tendinous coat, 

 intended to confine them to their places. This membrane, called the fascia, is 

 of extraordinary strength in the hind quarter, and reaches over the whole of 

 the haunch and thigh, and only ceases to be found at the hock where 

 there are no muscles to be protected. If the power of the muscles is suffi- 

 cient to dislocate or fracture the thigh-bone, they need the support and con- 



* This, although the true thigh-bone, is so therefore frequently overlooked by horsemen, 

 concealed by thick muscles that its situation who call the next bone, extending from the 

 and shape are not visible to the eye. It is stifle to the hock, the thigh. 



