292 



PARTICULAR LAMENESSES. 



is a very strong lever, to wliicli the tendons of powerful muscles 

 are attached ; that it has to assist extensive movements, and, in 

 accordance with the importance and extent of its functions, it is 

 liable to injury and disease. 



Sprain of the tendon of the gluteus maximus gives rise to 

 inflammation of the synovial bursa on the convexity of the 

 trochanter, as well as in the substance of the tendon. The 

 summit is liable to injury from blows or falls, and the inflam- 

 mation so produced extends to the convexity. From whatever 

 cause the inflammation arises, and whether it originates at the 

 summit or the convexity of the 

 trochanter, the exudate which is 

 formed is apt to be converted 

 into osseous material, and the 

 cartilage of incrustation on tlie 

 convexity to be removed by ul- 

 ceration. — (See Fig. 48.) 



Violent inflammation of the 

 hip-joint is accompanied by very 

 severe symptoms ; and the animal 

 will stand almost immoveable, 

 with the foot raised from the 

 ground, in wdiich position it will 

 be steadily maintained, unless 

 he is forced to move; all move- 

 ment increasing pain to an agon- 

 ising extent. There will be 

 fever, loss of appetite and flesh, 

 rapid wasting of the quarter, and 

 inability to lie down. In such a 

 case the animal must be slung. 



The dissection of such cases 

 generally reveals ulceration or la- 

 ceration of the ligamentum teres, 

 ulceration of the ai-ticular carti- 

 lage, both on the head of the 

 femur and cotyloid cavity, with suppuration into the cavity of 

 the joint, or partial destruction of it by a deposition of bony 

 matter. I have never witnessed anchylosis of this joint, but I 

 have a .specimen where the acetabulum is almost filled with 



Fig. 48. — Disease of trochanter 

 major, described in the text. 



