A SPKAIN OR STRAIN. 205 



moving about in any way. The foot is elevated from the ground, 

 and held continually in that position. There will be fever, loss 

 of api^etite and flesh, rapid Avasting of the quarter, and inability 

 to lie down. If the violent symptoms above described do not 

 soon abate, or some signs of improvement be made manifest, the 

 prognosis of an incurable lameness may be safely made. There 

 will be ulceration of the ligamentum teres, ulceration of the 

 articular cartilage, and perhaps anchylosis. In hip-joint lame- 

 ness the animal has a peculiar hop and catch in his gait, with a 

 lack of movement in the quarter. The quarter in the lame side 

 is elevated with as little motion of the hip as possible, the other 

 articulation being flexed with ease. When standing, the foot is 

 lifted, wasting of the muscles take place, and a swelling in con- 

 nection with the trochanter may be noticed. Heat may be felt, 

 by pressure applied per rectum. 



Treatment. — In either form a high-heeled shoe is to be put 

 on the foot and a long rest given. Fomentations should be ap- 

 plied for hours at a time. The mercurial ointment previously 

 referred to should be used, and is of value. The ailment requires 

 a powerful medicine. 



Sprain of the gluteus maximus sometimes takes place, and is 

 very hard to distinguish from hip-joint lameness. There is the 

 same peculiar risins; and falling of the croup. The foot will be 

 elevated, and there will be great difficulty in bringing fonvard 

 the limb. Swelling will be noticed first, then atrophy. 



The treatment is similar to that for hip-joint lameness. It 

 may be necessary to use slings in this as well as in hip-joint dis- 

 ease. 



DISLOCATION OF THE HIP JOINT. 



Dislocation is never seen in the horse, unless there be frac- 

 ture of the acetabulum. It may occur in the ox, dog, and cat 

 without fracture. 



Symptoms. — Shortening of the liinl), pain, an abnormally 

 prominent condition, and later swelling. The symptoms are 

 about the same in the dog and cat. 



