DISPLACEMENT OF THE BICEPS FEMORIS MUSCLE. 



951 



trochanter firmly fixed in the fissure, operation becomes necessary 

 to release the trochanter and restore the function of the limb. The 

 operation may be carried out in the standing or recumbent position, 

 the sound hind-leg being drawn well forward in order to throw weight 

 on the affected limb. At a point about three inches below and in 

 front of the trochanter, in the direction of the muscle, an incision 

 about two inches in length is made through the skin and aponeurosis. 

 The anterior border of the muscle is separated from subjacent tissues 

 by using a spatula, a director is then passed under it transversely, 



Fig. 525.— Bicep 



in of muscle ; 2, Fascia lata. 



and it is divided with a scalpel from within outwards. Considerable 

 haemorrhage occasionally follows incision of the muscle, and the 

 wound may have to be plugged before suturing. With proper 

 treatment the wound heals in ten to eighteen days. Hertwig has 

 shown that the section might be made subcutaneously. 



Luxation of the long vastus is very seldom seen in the horse, 

 though cases have been reported by Eletti and Strebel. In the horse, 

 the muscle, when displaced, passes in front of the trochanter. 



In fractures of the ischium, the tuber ischii may be displaced by the 

 pull of this muscle, resulting in deformity of the buttock ; the symptoms 

 are similar to those in the above-described condition in cattle. Moller 

 saw two cases of this kind, 



