352 THE FARM DOCTOR. 



in two othf r conditons — fracture of the outer rim of the cup 

 receiving the head of the thio;h-bone, and outward dislocation 

 of the hip-joint without fracture. The latter may be distin- 

 guished by the absence of grating, while the first is as serioui 

 as the fracture of the neck of the bone. 



Treatment is useless in the large quadrupeds, but in the small, 

 a firm retentive starch bandage for the whole limb will often 

 secure recovery. 



FRACTURE OF THE SHAFT OF THIGH-BONE. 



This is marked by inability to use the limb, muscular trem- 

 bling, swelling on the inner side of the thigh, and grating, felt 

 or heard, when the limb is moved in various directions. In 

 the larger quadrupeds nothing can be done beyond slinging 

 and quiet, which may prove successful in exceptional cases, 

 but in small animals, dogs and cats especially, a well applied 

 starch bandage will usually be a success. 



FRACTURES OF THE LOWER ENDS OF THE THIGH-BONE. 



These are recognised by great pain and swelling in the stifle, 

 with grating when the joint is seized between the hands and the 

 limb moved. It may be considered irremediable in the large 

 animals, and recoveries are imperfect in the small. 



FRACTURE OF THE KNEE-CAP. 



The small bone in front of the stifle is sometimes fractured 

 either across or vertically, causing local swelling and tenderness 

 with inability to use the limb, which is drawn backward and 

 outward. It is irremediable. 



DISLOCATION OF THE KNEE-CAP. 



Not uncommon in certain breeds of horses, this usually 



occurs when standing at rest in the stable or rather after rising. 



The limb is drawn forcibly outward and backward, the foot 



