DISEASES OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 91 



especially if the horse has side bones. It is difficult to diagnose, and 

 you must ju^ge from the manner in which the accident occurred. 

 Keep quiet There is extreme lameness and great pain. He can not 

 mark the limb. This might occur from a nail passing through a por- 

 tion of the bone. If so, it is likely to be followed by intense inflam- 

 mation, and, perhaps, gangrene. It is frequently an act of mercy to 

 destroy the animal. 



Navicular bone may be fractured, and it is difficult to diagnose. 

 However, you might surmise it from the extreme and continued lame- 

 ness. There is a tendency to an osseous exudation and ringbone. It 

 is most likely to occur in an animal that has navicular disease, and 

 after neurotomy has been performed, as he will not be careful in using 

 the limb, and nervous influence affects the nutrition of a part to a 

 certain extent, and as there is no sensation it is difficult to detect the 

 lesion in such cases. Inflammation and suppuration are the results, 

 or reunion may take place. 



Femur, — Any portion of it is liable to fracture, the body being the 

 most liable. It occurs from severe exertion or direct injury. It is 

 rare that the neck is fractured, in comparison with the body. 



Treatment is not successful, but there may be exceptional cases. 

 There is great inflammation. It is generally easily diagnosed. The 

 limb is short-ended. He cannot throw any weight upon it ; and there 

 may be crepitation, but the swelling may be so extensive that it can- 

 not be heard. 



Trochanter Major.— This may be fractured, usually from the 

 animal falling upon the haunch. There is a difficulty in moving the 

 limb, but he may throw some weight upon it. It is followed by 

 extensive swelling. It may be treated with success. 



The External Tuberosity may be fractured from a kick, but not 

 usually, but is rather common where carts are used, from falling over 

 the cart shafts. The animal is externally lame— can scarcely move 

 the limb at all. Manipulation of the parts will detect tenderness. 

 Reunion may take place, and there may be necrosis, as in fracture of 

 any of the small tuberosities. 



Condyle.— Fractured, and extends right into the articulation. Not 

 treated with success. 



Patella.— It is occasionally fractured ; possibly from severe mus- 

 cular contraction, but most likely from direct injury. It may be 

 either transverse or longitudinal. If the parts are separated there is 

 but little chance of recovery ; it is very difficult in the human patient 

 and is worse in the horse. The only chance is for nature to throw 

 out a large deposit, and this produces anchylosis ; but if there is no 

 displacement it may be treated successfully. It is difficult to diag- 

 nose ; you know that an animal has received an injury, and there is 

 extreme pain, but no great amount of swelling ; you may suspect 

 fracture. 



Tibia is fractured in a majority of cases from direct injury. The 

 antero-external face is not much covered with muscles, and is liable 

 to fracture from a kick. If the bones are displaced, even in a simple 

 fracture, it cannot be treated with much success in old animals, but 

 it is different in young animals. It is very important, as I stated in 

 regard to the radius, to watch closely any injury to this bone, for it 

 may be fractured and not displaced for several days. The periosteum 

 being uery strong tends to hold the parts in position. The animal 

 stands with the limb flexed ; pressure upon the parts produces pain. 

 If there is no displacement it may be treated. Tie the animal up so 



