SUPERFICIAL EXAMINATION 9 



though less distinctly, to run outwards and with a slight downward 

 inclination to its insertion into the cuboid bone. 



The outer aspect of the hock should now be examined. It will be 

 found that there is no tubercle on the external lateral aspect of the 

 astragalus, but a faint depression will be felt in the part which corre- 

 sponds to the position of the tubercle on the inner lateral surface of this 

 bone. 



Below the astragalus and calcis on this side of the joint is the cuboid, 

 and inferiorly to this bone the head of the external small metatarsal 

 bone will be easily located; and the observer should make himself quite 

 familiar with its normal size, since an abnormally large head of the small 

 metatarsal bone frequently leads to considerable confusion and constitutes 

 the condition designated as false curb. 



The outer aspect of the left hock is best examined with the left hand, 

 with one's back directed towards the patient's head. 



If the hand be now passed down the back of the leg the bulging 

 bellies of the gastrocnemius will be felt, and from them the succeeding 

 tendon may be traced. From two to three inches above the point of the 

 hock it will be ascertained that another tendon twists round that of the 

 gastrocnemius, passing from the deeper aspect of the latter to its inner 

 side and subsequently being placed superficially to it. 



This tendon is that of the superficial flexor of the digit {i.e., the flexor 

 perforatus), and it will be found to become very much flattened out as 

 we approach the summit of the calcis which forms what is known as 

 the point of the hock. This is the seat of the afi^ection known as the 

 capped hock. 



At the middle 01 the summit of the calcis the tendon of the 

 perforatus leaves that of its gastrocnemius, and the latter will be found to 

 terminate. The perforatus tendon, however, plays over the upper 

 extremity of the bone, and between it and the bone is interposed a 

 small synovial bursa, to facilitate the gliding movement of the tendon. 

 The further course of the perforatus tendon may be traced, and it 



