852 



CYCLOPEDIA OP LIVE STOCK AND COMPLETE STOCK DOCTOR. 



ELEPHANT LEG. 



How to know it. — Lameness in the hii) is rather hard to diagnose on 

 account of its usually being so deep-seated. A bad case of hip lameness 

 lis known by a short step, about half the 

 length of that of the sound leg, while the 

 whole leg is carried together, all of a piece, 

 and swung outward somewhat. When standing 

 he will not always rest the leg, butmay stand 

 perfectly sound on it and only show lame- 

 ness when moving, showing it entirely by 

 [labored action, the leg being brought forward 

 )wly and with difficulty. 

 ^Manipulation will usually find soreness di- 

 Irectly over or near the joint, and upon close 

 examination, when standing behind and com- 

 paring the two sides, there will be found a 

 slight swelling in the region of the injury. 

 Sometimes the sprain is in the back part of 

 the joint ; then the labored action is seen 

 more in backing, the horse going forward 

 [with little or no difficulty. 



In case of fracture there will be a very 

 perceptil)le deficiency or falling away in that region, accompanied by 

 great lameness and soreness to the touch. 



What to do. -Ii^ cases of fracture all that can be done is to make the 

 horse as comfortable as possible and apply anodyile lotions and liiii^ 

 ments, accompanied with hot applications, either water or vinegar, and 

 the Imiment, No. 15 ;and also give along rest, from one to three months. 

 The bones cannot be got at to be set ; so all there is to be done is to let 

 nature do the work. The animal will alwaj.:; remain one-sided, and will 

 generall}^ go a little one-sided, partly cornerwise, in tl e road ; but he will 

 be just as useful as ever for ordinary work. 



Sprain of the hip is treated the same as any other sprain. Rest, hot 

 water, and liniment. No. 14, well rubbed in, twice a day, will generally 

 cure in from one to three weeks. But in bad cases a blister is often 

 required; rub No. 9 well in over the affected part. If this fails to cure 

 a seton is the last resort. Let it be a piece of strong unbleached muslin, 

 an inch and a half wide and ten inches long. Run it upwards and down- 

 wards, about four inches, under the skin. Leave it in from three to six 

 weeks. Keep the place running by applying a little fly blister to the 

 string from time to time. Give absolute rest during this treatment, and 

 when the seton is removed, turn the horse to pasture or straw yard for 

 two or three months. 



