2o6 THE SURGICAL ANATOMY OF THE HORSE 



immediately lay down and commenced to struggle, after a time this 

 passed off and the hind limb seemed to be powerless. 



The owner ot the stable, a retired Army Surgeon, diagnosed a 

 fracture of the bones in the region of the fetlock, and proceeded to 

 apply sundry bandages all over the affected limb. After about an hour's 

 delay, the mare was led to her own stable, a short distance away, walking 

 with great difficulty. 



There was slight hardening of the gluteal muscle, and when the 

 animal was turned in the stall, marked loss of motor power in the off 

 hind leg. The bladder, on examination was found empty, the pulse 

 quick and irregular, and the animal was disinclined for movement of any 

 kind. 



A definite diagnosis was impossible, and the groom stated that no 

 urine had been passed since the attack commenced. 



Thinking it a case of Azoturia, a physic ball was given and fomenta- 

 tions applied to the loins and gluteal region and a few doses of spts. aeth. 

 nit. prescribed. 



April 20. — The mare appeared much brighter, but the lameness was 

 the same as yesterday. The groom stated that a large quantity of dark- 

 coloured urine had been passed. On examining the urine, none of the 

 characteristics of Azoturia were observed. 



On examining the affected limb, it was found from the hock to the 

 foot was deathly cold, and there was no response to the prick of a pin in 

 this region, nor could pulsation be detected in any of the superficial 

 vessels. The coronet and foot were also cold. Above the hock the 

 parts appeared normal. 



A rectal examination as well as a vaginal, showed that the pulsations 

 in the external iliac artery appeared smaller than normal. The termina- 

 tion of the posterior aorta appeared enlarged and more resistant to the 

 touch than normal, and each pulsation communicated a peculiar thrill to 

 the fingers. The vessels of the near hind limb seemed to be normal. 

 An examination of the muscles of the off hip showed marked atrophy. 



