SPECIAL INJURIES OF BONES. .•^49 



located in the tendon of the largest muscle of the buttock as 

 it plays over the large process on the head of the thigh-bone. 

 Its exact size is easily found in thin horses by the prominence 

 over the joint and midway between the anterior and posterior 

 angles of the hip-bone. There is the usual dragging hip lame- 

 ness, a quick short step with the affected limb, the hip being 

 moved as little as possible, suffering when the member is drawn 

 forward, and tenderness to pressure on the seat of the sprain. 

 Swelling and heat are rare because of the depth of the lesion. 

 In cases of any standing the muscles of the quarter waste. 



Treatment. — Long continued rest, with at first fomentations, 

 and later, active and repeated blisters, or even the hot iron 

 applied in points. Some chronic cases do well under a com- 

 bination of exercise and counter-irritants as follows : rub the 

 affected quarter with oil of turpentine, then take out and exer- 

 cise in a circle until covered with perspiration ; then return to 

 the stable, rub down and clothe with a double wet blanket over 

 the lame quarter. Repeat daily for some time. 



DISPLACEMENT OF THE ABDUCTOR FEMORIS. 



Lean cattle are subject to a peculiar form of hip lameness, 

 from displacement backward of the large muscle which plays 

 over the prominence at the head of the thigh-bone. The high, 

 bony process presses on the anterior border of the muscle, pre- 

 venting it from resuming its natural position. The anterior 

 border of the muscle forms a prominent painless cord extending 

 from behind the hip-joint to below the stifle. In moving, the 

 toe is dragged along the ground, being extended backward, and 

 the limb is flexed with effort and often in a sudden and convul- 

 sive manner, and accompanied by a dull sound. These symp- 

 toms are most marked if the animal is made to step over a bar 

 of six or eight inches high as he leaves the stable. 



Treatment. — Some recover under good nourishment with 01 

 w.tnout blisters, but usually it is best to make an incision over 



