126 



PARTICULAR FRACTURES, 



the limb, the toe being turned inwards, except when the head 

 of the femur is forced into the foramen ovale, when the limb 

 will be found longer than its fellow, and the toe will be turned 



outwards. Fracture of the femur 

 sometimes results from muscular 

 contraction, when the animal is 

 cast and bound for operation, dis- 

 placement generally being the 

 immediate result; and from the 

 numerous muscles which clothe 

 and are attached to this bone, re- 

 duction of the fracture is an im- 

 possibility. I 



Fracture of the Troclianters. — 

 I have seen two cases of fracture 

 of trochanter minor externus, from 

 the patient having fallen whilst 

 in the cart, this part of the thigh 

 coming in contact with the shafts. 

 Any one who has seen a horse 

 down, and half turned round in 

 the shafts, will easily understand 

 this. The diagnosis is difficult, 

 and the lameness is peculiar. 



Fig. i2.-rracture of neck of The elevation of the foot from 

 femur, showing displacement of the ground, and the commencc- 



head ; reunion, with considerable i r ^i i. r> j. • v 



formation of temporary callus, a, ^Cnt of the act of extension of 



head ; 6, trochanter major ; c and the limb, Seem to be performed 



, surroun mg eposi . ^^^^^ ^^^^^ little difficulty ; but the 



concluding part of the elevation of the limb, and extension of 

 the femur on the pelvis, give the patient much pain, and cause 

 considerable lameness. The foot is let down with a jerk; but 

 after descending a short distance, the pain seems to abate, and 

 the final implanting on the ground is performed with compara- 

 tive ease and freedom. When the foot is implanted on the 

 ground, another peculiarity may be observed, namely, that the 

 extension of the pelvis on the femur is performed with difficulty. 

 In order to see all these peculiarities, the practitioner must be a 

 close observer. But to assist the young practitioner, let him 

 remember — 1st. The first act of raising the foot is done easily ; 



