FRACTURES OF THE PELVIS. 737 



be perforated, and bleeding occur from the vulva. Crepitation on 

 moving the affected limb is often marked. Slight lameness, or (if 

 the pubis remain intact) absence of lameness, accompanied, how- 

 ever, by crepitation, points to fracture of the hinder portion of this 

 bone, especially if the above-described deformity of the buttock 

 exists. 



A knowledge of these symptoms, assisted by careful rectal or 

 vaginal exploration, will in the larger animals usually ensure accurate 

 diagnosis, not only of the position but also of the extent of fractures 

 of the pelvis. When crepitation is marked and the femur known to 

 be intact, broken pelvis can be confidently diagnosed. In small 

 animals examination by Rontgen rays is very useful. 



The prognosis varies exceedingly, according to the position and 

 extent of the fracture and the nature of existing complications. 

 The danger increases somewhat in the following order :— 



(1) Fractures of the angles of the ilium. In fracture of the 

 internal angle, provided the pelvis does not separate from the sacrum, 

 movement is not interfered with and recovery always occurs. The 

 significance of fractures of the external angle depends on the size 

 of the broken portion and the amount of deformity of the quarter. 

 When only one of the tuberosities is broken, lameness usually dis- 

 appears completely in three to six weeks ; and even after fracture 

 of both prominences or detachment of a large piece of bone, the 

 lameness may also subside in six to ten weeks but not infrequently 

 recurs owing to abscess formation and necrosis of the loose bone. 

 Fractures involving the flat portion of the ilium may sometimes 

 permanently interfere with movement, the swinging leg lameness 

 that remains preventing the animal going beyond a slow walk. 

 Compound fractures of the ilium, i.e., those associated with injury 

 to the skin, generally reunite under proper treatment, though some- 

 times only after a considerable time (six to ten weeks). The form of 

 lameness frequently described as rupture of the M. tensor fasciae 

 latae may perhaps be sometimes due to fracture of the external angle 

 of the ilium. 



Pfeiffer saw a horse with fracture of the internal angle of the ilium ; 

 the fractured part was as large as a cheese plate. The animal showed 

 severe lameness whilst the leg was swinging forward. 



(2) Fracture of the shaft of the ilium without much displacement 

 may in quiet animals be followed by complete restoration to useful- 

 ness ; otherwise lameness remains, or continually returns after 

 severe exertion, and restricts the animal to slow work. As the result 



R.S. 3 B 



