FRACTURE OF THE TIBIA IN A HORSE. 



443 



and the second two years after operation — the animal failed to show 

 the slightest irregularity in moving the limb. 



The bony plate was triangular, the base being uppermost ; it 

 measured six inches in length and three in breadth ; the point was 

 embedded in the tendon of the semi-tendinosus muscle. The internal 

 surface was concave, especially at its upper part, into which muscular 

 fibres were inserted. The external 

 surface was only separated from the 

 skin by a layer of connective tissue. 



The cause of ossification of this 

 character is unknown. The animal's 

 history did not point to any injury 

 or violent contusion of the buttock. 

 Its age was certainly not a predis- 

 posing cause, and no abnormal ossi- 

 fication was detected in any other 

 region. 



Note. — M. Laquerriere describes 

 a similar case as follows : — " In 1874 

 I saw at Milianah a horse which had 

 been lame for a very long time, and 

 which showed a subcutaneous swell- 

 ing in the upper external part of the 

 right quarter. The horse was cast 

 and the skin incised, when I found, 

 to my great astonishment, a plate of 

 apparently bony tissue, measuring 

 about five inches in height, and two 

 to two and a half inches in breadth. 

 Some years before the horse had been 

 wounded with a bullet in the upper 



part of the quarter. In consequence of its weight this bullet had 

 gradually descended, but in so doing had produced inflammation, 

 afterwards followed b}- calcification of a portion of the fascia in the 

 external crural region. Whatever may have been the cause, the 

 lameness disappeared as though by enchantment as soon as the growth 

 was removed." 



Fig. 57. 



-fracture ot the tibia in 

 a horse. 



FRACTURE OF THE TIBIA IN A HORSE. 



148. An aged bay cart mare. 



History. — Whilst being shod the near hind leg was lifted, causing 

 the animal to fall over against a bench on its off side ; it continued 

 leaning against the bench for a few moments, but soon recovered itself; 

 it was, however, unable to place the near hind foot to the ground. It 

 was then led into the yard walking on three legs, and on the near leg 

 being lifted it fell to the ground. 



State on Examination. — The animal seemed in great pain ; the near 

 hind leg was slightly flexed ; a punctured wound about a quarter of an 

 inch in diameter, from which blood oozed, was noticed at the upper 



