DISLOCATION OF THE PATELLA. 277 



lameness, will often effect a cure ; after this period, firing and 

 blistering are also necessary. This lameness is easily distin- 

 guished from lameness of the hock, or fetlock joint, by the sudden 

 catching up of the hind leg in the two latter. 



Strain or Injury of the Stifle. 



Lameness in the stifle is known by the diflflculty the horse 

 feels in putting forward the hind leg ; also by swelling and 

 tenderness of the part. It is generally produced by external 

 violence, though it may be caused by a strain. 



The treatment should consist of bleeding, either generally or 

 from the thigh; warm fomentations to the part, followed by 

 cold lotions ; and if the lameness continues the joint should be 

 blistered, or setons inserted over it. 



Dislocation of the Patella. 



There Is another kind of lameness in the stifle, which is some- 

 times only of a temporaiy nature, and has more the appearance 

 of spasm or cramp of the muscles ; but is, in fact, a dislocation 

 of the patella. It takes place when a horse is suddenly moved 

 in the stall, or when first taken out, or when first moved after 

 having been ridden and then standing still a short time. The 

 attack sometimes lasts only a minute or two, but is often re- 

 curring. It occurs chiefly in colts, or young horses. When a 

 horse is attacked with this cramp, as it appears to be, he con- 

 tinues with the hind leg stretched out, stiff, and apparently in 

 great pain ; he then suddenly draws it up with a jerk, and the 

 knee pan, or patella, can sometimes be heard to go into its place 

 again. 



[The injury here spoken of, and so frequently mistaken for 

 cramp, is neither more nor less than a dislocation of the patella 

 or knee pan, whereb}^ the motion of the joint is altogether pre- 

 vented, and the leg becomes stiff and immoveable. Sometimes, 

 from the frequent recurrence of this affection, and its often 

 spontaneous cure, the articulating surface of the patella becomes 

 flattened, and the animal is rendered almost useless, being con- 

 tinually subject to the dislocation. 



In other cases, the bone cannot be restored to its proper situ- 

 ation without assistance, which should be thus rendered. The 

 operator should place himself behind the animal, and putting 

 one arm between the thighs, clasp his hands in front of the stifle. 

 The leg now being drawn forwards by an assistant, the patella 

 should, at the same time, be forced in by the operator. 



A blister or charge should be placed over the part to prevent 

 or retard its motion, and the animal kept in a state of rest for 

 some days. In cases of frequent recurrence, the part may be 

 fired, with a view of bracing the skin. — Ed.] 



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