318 BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 



this ma\' fail to add to the evidence of fracture, but till then the simple 

 testimony afforded by the detection of crepitation from the surface, 

 thouf»-h a .strong confirmator}^ point, is scarceh' sufEciently absolute to 

 e^;tabli8ll more than a reasonable probability or strong suspicion in the 

 case. 



In addition to the fact that the rectal examination brings the explor- 

 ing hand of the surgeon into near proximit}' to the desired point of 

 search, and to an accurate knowledge of the situation of parts, l)oth 

 pro and con as respects his own views, there is another advantage 

 attendant upon it which is well entitled to appreciation. This is the 

 facility with which he can avail himself of the help of an assistant, 

 who can aid him by manipulating the implicated limb and placing it 

 in various positions, so far as the patient will permit, while the sur- 

 geon himself is making explorations and studying the effect from 

 within. By this method he can hardly fail to ascertain the character 

 of the fracture and the condition of the bony ends. By the rectal taxis, 

 as if with eyes in the finger ends, he will "see" what is the extent of 

 the fracture of the ilium or of the neck of tliat bone; to what part of 

 the central portion of the bone (the acetabulum) it reaches; whether 

 this is free from disease or not, and in what locationon the floor of the 

 pelvis the lesion is situated. We have frequentl}^ by this method 

 been able to detect a fracture at the symphysis which, from its history 

 and symptoms and an external examination, could only have been 

 guessed at. 



Yet, with all its advantages, the rectal examination is not always 

 necessary, as, for example, when the fracture is at the posterior and 

 external angle of the ischium, when by friction of the bonj' ends the 

 surgeon may discern the crepitation without it. 



Every variety of complication, including muscular lacerations with 

 the formation of deep abscesses and injuries to the organs of the 

 pelvic cavity, the bladder, the rectum, and the uterus, ma}^ be associ- 

 ated with fractures of the hip bone. 



Prognosis. — The prognosis of these lesions will necessarily var}- con- 

 siderably. A fracture of the most superficial part of the bone of the 

 ilium or of the ischium, especially where there is little displacement, 

 will unite rapidly, leaving a comparatively sound animal often quite 

 free from subsequent lameness. But if there is much displacement, 

 oxAy a ligamentous union will take place, with much deforraitj'- and 

 more or less irregularih' in the gait. Other fractures may be fol- 

 lowed by complete disability of the patient, as, for example, when the 

 cotyloid cavity is involved, or when the reparatory process has left 

 bony deposits in the pelvic cavity at the seat of the union, which may, 

 with the female, interfere with the steps of parturition, or induce 

 some local paralysis by pressure upon the nerves which govern the 

 muscles of the hind legs. This is a condition not infrequently observed 



