SUPERIOR FACE OF THE BODY. 123 



by excessive labor, in which the spinal column has been injured by the 

 weight and muscular traction which the region has sustained. In 

 gravely -diseased animals they are often arched and have lost suppleness. 



Attachments. The loins should become insensibly united to the 

 croup and the back. When they are mal-attached, there exists in 

 front of the former a depression of variable depth, which gives them 

 such names as low, weak, false, and dipped. Besides, they are -often 

 long, narrow, and feeble, peculiarities detracting from their strength. 



Examination. At all times, in conducting an examination of 

 the horse, veterinarians are in the habit of pressing on the loins to 

 determine by their flexibility the state of the health of the subject. 



This practice should be executed with some precautions. Taking a position 

 at the side of the animal, with the back towards his head, the hand is passed 

 downward over the back, and the loins are pinched on the median line by making 

 gentle pressure with the thumb and index finger. Under this influence the 

 animal, when in a state of health, will extend the spine, or flinch. In those 

 suffering from weakness or certain few diseases of this region, as osteoporosis, or 

 in those of a nervous temperament, the sensitiveness may be much exaggerated. 

 In horses suffering from fever or some other diseases, the region will remain per- 

 fectly rigid. In a general way, its sensitiveness affords an index of the health 

 of the animal. Certain nervous subjects will resist this manipulation by biting 

 or kicking ; in order to avoid this, the head should be raised and the position of 

 the clinician should not be too close to the body. Others will yield to the first 

 attempt, but resist a repetition by stiffening the parts. 



Diseases and Blemishes. The wounds of this region are of the same 

 nature as those of the back. They result nearly always from a misfitting harness 

 or its improper application. The posterior part of the saddle frequently bears on 

 the origin of the loins and wounds them on the median line. These wounds are 

 always painful and slow to cicatrize, and may prevent the animal from working 

 for a long period. In olden times they were designated under the name evils of 

 the loins. 



Strain of the loins, which is sometimes observed, is a much more grave affec- 

 tion, but we will speak of it under the defects of the gait. 



It manifests itself as a great weakness of the posterior quarters, which is 

 most apparent during locomotion, and renders its victim unfit for active service. 



The blemishes are traces of blisters or the firing-iron, more or less exten- 

 sive, proving an old cauterization for a serious disease, principally strain of the 

 loins. There may also be excoriations, white markings in horses of a dark color, 

 or cicatrices of the same nature as those which we have indicated in the region 

 of the back. 



E. The Croup. 



Situation ; Limits. The croup is a single region situated on 

 the median line of the superior surface of the body. It is bounded in 

 front by the loins, behind by the tail, and on each side by the thigh and 

 the superior part of the buttock. 



