SPECIAL INyURtES OF BONES. 353 



ixjsting on the toe, and the animal is helpless to move it The 

 bone may be felt displaced at the outer side, at what should be 

 the most prominent anterior point of the stifle. In young 

 horses it may be attended with ulceration of the pulley over 

 wliich it plays, but, in the adult, this is very exceptional. 



Reduction may sometimes be effected by starting the animal 

 with a whip, the limb being brought forsvard under the violent 

 effort and the bone meanwhile slipping into place. More 

 commonly it is requisite to draw the foot forward, either by 

 simply lifting it, or by the aid of a rope having a noose round 

 the fetlock, and passing through a collar on the neck. While 

 the limb is being advanced, a hand should be placed on the 

 bone outside the stifle to press it into position. When reduced 

 keep on a level (not slippery) floor ; apply a shoe with a toe 

 piece projecting an inch in front of the hoof, and curved up; 

 and finally, put a smart blister on the joint. 



Second Fonn. — A modification of the above is seen in horses 

 and cattle, in which the knee-cap is drawn too high during 

 extreme extension of the stifle, antl then pulled outward by the 

 aoductor muscles ; its inner lateral ligament slips into the notch 

 above the pulley, over which the bone should play, and the 

 animal remains helpless with the limb drawn back as in ordinary 

 dislocation. There is a depression in front ot the upper part 

 of the stifle, surmounted by a swelling which is soft, not hard, 

 as it would be were the current explanation ot cramp of the 

 muscles correct The reduction is by the same method advised 

 (or ordinary dislocation, and the after treatment identical 



DISEASE IN THE STIFLE JOINT. 



If between the knee-cap and its pulley the patient usually drags 

 the toe on the ground, stci)S short and brings the foot forward 

 with a swinging outward motion. The leg is kept half bent 

 when standing, tlie knee-cap is felt to move loosely on the 

 pulley, causing pain, and an elastic fluctuating swelling is felt 



