94 THE SURGICAL ANATOMY OF THE HORSE 



be an extensive rupture of the muscles an indentation may be felt 

 without much difficulty, as may also be felt an extensive rent in the 

 thick fibrous covering of the gluteus maximus. Later there is consider- 

 able swelling and there is much heat in the affected region and inability 

 on the part of the muscles concerned, which act, as has already been 

 stated, on the hip joint. 



Prognosis is usually favourable. In the earlier stages complete rest 

 should be prescribed and the pain relieved by the application of hot 

 fomentations. 



Frequently, owing to rupture of small muscular blood-vessels a 

 haematoma is formed. This may be neglected whilst there are evident 

 symptoms of acute inflammation. When these symptoms have subsided 

 the hematoma should be incised and its contents evacuated. The in- 

 cision should be made at the lowest level of the swelling with the usual 

 antiseptic precautions. The cutaneous opening should be kept patent 

 in order that the cavity may be syringed out with weak antiseptic 

 solutions, and healing take place from the bottom. 



Sprain of the ligamentum teres (true hip lameness) and inflammation 

 of the bursa beneath the tendon of the middle gluteus muscle (false hip 

 lameness) are dealt with in the chapter on Ligaments and Burs£ 

 (chapter V.). 



THE STIFLE JOINT 



The distal extremity of the femur, the proximal end or the tibia, and 

 the patella enter into the formation of the stifle joint. 



This joint is one of the most compHcated in the whole of the body, 

 and it is not surprising, therefore, to find that it is the seat of so many 

 varied and obscure surgical affections. 



The Articular Surfaces. — At the inferior extremity of the femur there 

 are three surfaces, one of which articulates with the posterior surface 

 of the patella and the remaining two with the proximal end of the 



