FEACTURES OF THE FEMUR. 127 



2d The latter part of this, and the abduction of the thigh, cause 

 pain and lameness ; Sd. The pain caused by the last act produces 

 a jerk when the limb is suddenly dropped, but when it has de- 

 scended a very short way the pain is relieved ; 4:th. When the 

 foot is on the ground, and before the first act of elevation, the 

 trunk is carried forward in the act of progression in a painful 

 and peculiar manner. These peculiarities are explained by the 

 fact that the gluteus-externus is attached to this trochanter, and 

 that this muscle is an abductor of the thigh and extensor of the 

 pelvis. 



The treatment is rest, and slinging, if the lameness is great, 

 or sufficient to prevent the animal from lying down ; with sooth- 

 ing applications to the part. 



Fractures of the condyles sometimes occur. One case hap- 

 pened in the practice of a friend of mine during operation. 

 The animal was immediately killed, and an examination made, 

 when it was found that the fracture was of some duration, and it 

 came out afterwards that the animal had been cast in the stall 

 some few weeks previously ; that he had sliown a little stiffness 

 for a day or two, but that this had passed off. The bone is in 

 my possession. 



The patella is fractured longitudinally, or into several frag- 

 ments, by direct violence ; and transversely, by muscular con- 

 traction, causing great lameness, more or less inability to extend 

 the limb, swelling in front of stifle joint ; these symptoms being 

 common to both kinds, with distinct .separation of the two por- 

 tions when the fracture is transverse. Reunion of this form 

 is an impossibility, owing to the difficulty of bringing the frag- 

 ments together, and from the presence of the synovia in in- 

 creased quantity ; on the other hand, a longitudinal fracture is 

 sometimes curable, especially if it be a mere crack in the bone. 

 In order to secure as much repose as possible, the part must be 

 thrown into a state of relaxation, and for this purpose a shoe 

 with high toe-pieces and heels must be put on the foot, a veri- 

 table " patten shoe," the animal placed in slings, and cooling 

 applications employed to reduce inflammation and swelling. 

 After a time a blister may be applied, as a considerable effusion 

 is apt to take place into the bursa, the absorption of which is 

 necessary before reunion can take place. 



