286 THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



influenza, etc., in consequence of general weakness or re- 

 laxation of the muscular system, etc. It may also be due to 

 scrofulous ostitis, or may occur in consequence of an here- 

 ditary tendency, faulty conformation, etc. Allowing a 

 weakly colt to run on a hilly pasture may also produce the 

 condition, it occurring sometimes in colts only five or six 

 weeks old. 



Symi)toms. — The symptoms are very well marked, and, 

 having seen one case, there will be no difficulty in recog- 

 nising any cases that may subsequently be met with. In 

 walking, the animal brings the limb forward in a stiff 

 manner, and as though there was scarcely an articulation in 

 it, the foot drags on the ground in going forward and in 

 backing, and in some cases the foot seems as though nailed 

 to the ground, or as though fastened in a hole in the floor, 

 a mistake easily made where plenty of bedding is on the 

 floor. It is said that a former pupil of the Ontario Veterin- 

 ary College, now a prominent practitioner, was once sent to 

 examine such a case, and returned with the information 

 that the animal had got his foot fast in a hole in the floor, 

 and was unable to extricate it. There is a peculiar stifl- 

 ness of the hind quarters, the animal goes along in a stilty 

 manner, and a clicking sound may often be heard during 

 progression. AVhen the animal lies down he frequently has 

 great difficulty in rising, and in some cases is totally unable 

 to rise. In cases of some standing an exudate may be 

 thrown out, causing a thickened condition of the part, the 

 irritation may extend and increase, and it finally becomes 

 a bad case, and one difficult or impossible to cure. 



Treatment. — The treatment is not difficult, and, as a rule, 

 is successful. The first thing to do is to reduce the luxation, 

 which is not at all difficult, and is accomplished as follows : 

 stand the animal against the side of a stall, place one end 

 of a soft cord or line of sufficient strength around the fetlock 



