240 OPERATIONS ON BONES. 



rence, being attributed not only to the usual varieties of violence, 

 as blows and other external hurts, but to the act of coition, and 

 to violent efforts in partm-ition. It is generally of the transverse 

 kind, and may be recognized by the deformity which it occasions. 

 This is due to the dropi^ing of the bone, with a change in its di- 

 rection and a lower attachment of the tail, which also becomes 

 more or less paralyzed. The natural and spontaneous rehef which 

 usually interposes in these cases has doubtless been observed by 

 the extensive cattle breeders of the West, and their j)ractice and 

 example fully establishes the inutility of interference. Still, cases 

 may occur in which reduction may be indicated, and it then be- 

 comes a matter of no difficulty. It is effected by the introduction of 

 a round, smooth piece of wood into the rectum as far as the frag- 

 ment of the bone, and using it as a lever, resting it upon another 

 as a fulcrum placed under it outside. The bone having been thus 

 returned maybe kept in place by the ordinary external means in use. 



The Os Innominata. — Fractures of the ilium may be observed 

 either at the angle of the hip or at the neck of the bone ; those of 

 the pubes may take place at the s^nnphysis, or in the body of the 

 bone ; those of the ischium on the floor of the bone, or at its pos- 

 terior external angle. Or, again, the fracture may involve all 

 three of these constituent parts of the hip bone by ha\'ing its situ- 

 ation in the articular caAdty — the acetabulum by which it joins the 

 femur or thigh bone. 



Some of these fractures are easily recognized, while others are 

 difficult to identify. The ordinary deformity which characterizes 

 a fracture of the external angle of the ilium, its dropping and the 

 diminution of that side of the hip in width, unite in indicating the 

 existence of the condition expressed by the term "hipj)ed." But 

 an incomj)lete fractiu-e, or one that is complete without displace- 

 ment, or even one with displacement, often demands the closest 

 scrutiny for its discovery. The lameness may be well marked, and 

 an animal may show but little aj^pearance of it while walking, but 

 upon being urged into a trot will manifest it more and more, until 

 presently he will cease to use the crippled limb altogether, and 

 perform his traveling entirely on three legs. The acute character 

 of the lameness will vai'y in degree as the seat of the lesion ap- 

 proximates the acetabulum. In walking, the motion at the hip is 

 very limited, and the leg is dragged, while at rest it is relieved 

 from beai-ing its share in sustaining the body. An intelligent 



