736 FRACTURES <>F THE PELVIS. 



(7) Examination per anum or per vaginara affords further in- 

 formation in fracture of the ilium, ischium, or pubis, particularly 

 when the shaft is broken. Local swelling can be detected ; and 

 if the animal's quarters be moved to and fro, a hand inserted in the 

 rectum easily follows the displacement of the fractured bone. 



(8) Tn fractures of the pelvis as in other fractures, fever may 

 occur, or symptoms of bleeding from injury to blood-vessels. This 

 danger is perhaps greatest in fracture through the obturator 

 foramen. The following are the distinctive symptoms of the mosl 

 commonly-occurring fractures of the pelvis : — 



(1) Fractures of the external angle of the ilium (Fig. 450 — 1, 

 deformity, adduction of the stifle, swinging leg lameness, absence 

 of crepitation, sometimes swelling and pain on pressure. 



(2) Fracture of the shaft of the ilium (3). Depressed position 

 of the affected quarter. Swinging leg lameness, crepitation when 

 standing on the foot of the affected side. Examination per anum 

 gives more information. This fracture may also occur in cows 

 during difficult parturition or after falls. 



(3) Fracture through the acetabulum (5). Marked swinging 

 leg and supporting leg lameness, often accompanied by painful 

 groaning. Crepitation without moving dr placing weight on the 

 limb, deformity slight, sometimes sinking of the great trochanter 

 and abnormal mobility of the hip-joint. 



(4) Fracture through the obturator foramen (4 and 4a). Sup- 

 porting leg lameness, crepitation, no deformity, sometimes paresis ; 

 if obturator nerve implicated, there is marked abduction of the limb. 



(5) Fracture of the os pubis near the symphysis (4). Supporting 

 leg lameness, with a tendency to abduction of the limb, pain on 

 forced abduction in moving backwards or sideways. Crepitation 

 sometimes absent, sometimes slight, sometimes distinct. Swelling 

 below the abdomen may be wanting. Examination per anum gives 

 further information. 



(6) Fracture of the ischium (4a) ; of the tuber ischii (6). Swinging 

 leg lameness, swelling of the vagina or rectum, frequently of the 

 muscles of the thigh. After union is complete the gait often remains 

 shuffling, the feet being dragged and the toes excessively worn, as 

 in animals suffering from partial lumbar paralysis. Deformity of 

 the point of the buttock sometimes exists, the latter when seen 

 from behind appearing abnormally broad ; when from the side, 

 less prominent than the sound buttock. Crepitation on moving 

 the hind limb. 



(b) In fracture of the shaft of the ischium (4a), the vagina may 



