METHODS OF EXAMINATION. 239 



other side. If the lameness be in a fore limb the head as well 

 as the fore part of the trunk is raised from the lame and drojyj^ed 

 upon the sound limb. This is called " nodding." If the lame- 

 ness be in a hind limb, the quarter of the same side will be ele- 

 vated and that of the sound side thrown forwards and downwards 

 by a jerking motion ; the head being moderately steady if the 

 pain be not great, and jerked if there be acute agony. It is 

 only by carefully noting these facts that we are able to detect 

 the limb in which an animal may be lame. 



The signs indicative of the seat of lameness are of two 

 kinds : — (1.) Those manifested by action ; and (2.) Those dis- 

 coverable by examination, while the animal is in a state of 

 rest. In some instances the latter are alone sufficient to indi- 

 cate the seat and nature of the disease, but the lameness must 

 be of a severe character, manifested by "pointing," standing 

 with the lame limb flexed, or even completely elevated from 

 the ground; or, as in laminitis, with the unaffected feet and 

 limbs placed as much under the body as possible. 



In the majority of cases, however, it is necessary to cause 

 the patient to perform some movement ; and it is agreed by all 

 practical men that the slow trot is the best pace. A horse may 

 walk lame, but if such be the case, he must be very lame. 

 There are cases, however, as in " slight splint lameness," where 

 it is necessary to urge the animal to a sharp trot before any 

 deviation from the normal gait can be distinguished. 



The following rules may be useful for the guidance of young 

 practitioners : — The horse should be led out of the stable in a 

 snaffle bridle, with the rein over the head. Let the man who 

 leads him be ordered to hold the rein at about eighteen inches 

 from the mouth, and let there be no holding up of the animal's 

 head by a tight curb or rein, to prevent " nodding ; " but, at 

 the same time, the rein must not be too long, for if this be the 

 case, a spirited animal may turn round so far as to kick the 

 man with his hind foot. The horse should be trotted im- 

 mediately after he is taken out ; and for this reason, that any 

 very slight lameness may disappear if he be walked any dis- 

 tance. Many low dealers will knock a horse about in the 

 stall to remove such lameness. This should be looked to in 

 every suspicious case. If the horse be frisky, he must be cooled 

 down and very carefully led, in order that the examiner may 



