DISLOCATIONS 



351 



the region of the joint, which subsides as the disease progresses and the 

 muscles waste. 



Treatment. — Rest from work in a straw yard or paddock is the first 

 requirement to be complied with, but in no case should the animal be con- 

 fined to the stable. Movement is most desirable as a means of exciting 

 nutrition and restoring wasted muscles, so long as it is not carried beyond 

 mere exercise. The frequent application of stimulating embrocations over 

 the affected region, with vigorous rubbing, is also recommended to the same 

 end. 



With regard to general treatment, nux vomica and sulphate of iron 

 in two-drachm doses will benefit the local ailment by improving the general 

 health and toning up the wasting muscles. To this must be added good 

 food in liberal rations. 



DISLOCATION OF THE PATELLA 



The patella is a small floating bone situated at the point of the stifle 

 and corresponds to the knee-cap 

 of man (fig. 378). It enjoys a 

 large range of up - and - down 

 motion in playing over two 

 prominent ridges on the lower 

 extremity of the femur or 

 thigh-bone. The outer ridge 

 is naturally much smaller than 

 the inner one, and this will re- 

 quire to be borne in mind when 

 considering the particular direc- 

 tion in which the displacement 

 usually occurs. Moreover, a 

 large muscle, the " biceps fe- 

 moris ", is inserted in the outer 

 part of the patella, to which 

 there is no corresponding muscle 

 on the inner side in antagonism 

 with it. 



Dislocation of this bone in 

 the horse, as in man, is com- 

 paratively common, and is most 



frequently seen in young animals from a few weeks to two years old, 

 although older subjects are by no means exempt from it. 



Fig. 378. — The Patella and its relation to the other hones 

 of the Hind Limb 



A, Pelvis ; B, Femur ; c, Patella ; D, Fibula ; K, Tibia. 



