FEACTUEE OF THE PELVIC BONES. 125 



Fracture through the Symphysis Pulis. — This form of frac- 

 ture is caused by the posterior extremities suddenly slipping 

 outwards. Its symptoms are — a wide straddling gait behind, 

 the legs being dragged forwards in progression ; the feet 

 wide apart, the toes turned outwards ; the lameness being 

 sometimes excessive. Examination per rectum will enable 

 the practitioner to determine the extent and exact nature of 

 the lesion. 



Very little can be done in the way of active treatment. If 

 the animal is not of much value, he had better be destroyed ; 

 but if youug, or worth the cost of keep and treatment, he may 

 be slung, the limbs pulled as near to each other as possible, and 

 kept in that position by being fastened with a strap above 

 the hocks. In two or three months a fair recovery may be 

 expected. 



Fractures of Tuherosity of Ischium arise from the patient 

 falling backwards upon the buttocks, either from a slip 

 whilst backing, or by being pulled over whilst rearing. The 

 symptom is flatness of the most rounded part of the quar- 

 ter, observed when standing to one side of the patient. An 

 alteration in the form and shape of the quarters from any of 

 the other kinds of fracture is observable when the practitioner 

 stands at a short distance behind the patient ; but this is to be 

 seen to perfection when he stands at a short distance on one 

 side, and on a level with this part of the body. Manipulation 

 will detect crepitus, and cause pain. In some cases there will 

 be considerable swelling of the soft parts, which wiU partly hide 

 the flatness of the buttock. There is some degree of lameness 

 in these cases ; but if rest be enjoined, repair of the fracture will 

 soon take place. No special surgical treatment will be needed, 

 beyond the application of a good stiff charge or plaster after the 

 subsidence of the swelling. 



FRACTURES OF THE FEMUR. 



The femur may be fractured through its neck or through its 

 shaft, and both forms are incurable. Fracture through the neck 

 commonly occurs along with fracture through the acetabulum, 

 and is to be detected in the same manner. Both in this form, 

 and when occurring through the shaft, there will be shortening of 



