ATTITUDES. 467 



The subject will now assume one or other of the two following 

 positions : 



Thus, in the sterno-costal decubitus, the body, leaning towards the 

 right, for example, rests upon the sternum and the abdomen, while the 

 four members, all semi-flexed, are directed towards the opposite side, the 

 right being under the trunk. The head and the neck, being a counter- 

 poise, are inclined towards the left, although elevated and supported by 

 the resistance of the elastic nuchal ligament. 



In the lateral decubitus, the head, the neck, the trunk, and the 

 members of the corresponding side are stretched out on the ground. 

 This variety of attitude, more rare than the former, is, in general, only 

 observed in colts and in debilitated or diseased horses. 



Concerning the dorsal decubitus, it is very difficult in the horse, on 

 account of the narrowness of the neck, the withers, the back, the loins, 

 and the croup. Nevertheless, it is seen in circus horses and in those 

 which are especially dressed for it, but which are unable to maintain 

 it for a long time. In all other circumstances, it should be considered 

 that a horse which takes this position is suffering from serious colic, 

 principally from hernia. 



After a more or less prolonged rest, the animal rises. To accom- 

 plish this, he extends the neck and the head for the purpose of extend- 

 ing and carrying forward his fore-members, first the upper and then 

 that which lies under the body : this is a sort of preparatory action. 

 By a new effort, these members place the body, as M. Colin l has 

 clearly proved, in the position which a dog assumes when sitting upon 

 his thighs. Finally, the abdominal members, in their turn, by their 

 extension, raise the body. 



Almost immediately the spine is extended and the hind-limbs 

 stretch themselves one after the other ; sometimes the animals gape, and 

 everything then returns to its normal state. 



It is not practicable to see the horse lie down at the time of pur- 

 chase; nevertheless > important indications could be drawn from its 

 examination. Certain horses have the vicious habit of lying down 

 like a cow, that is to say, of having too great a flexion of the feet 

 upon the forearm, and thus contusing the inferior part of the elbows 

 with the internal heel of the shoe. There results from this, after a 

 time, the formation of tumors, to which we have already called the 

 attention of the reader. (See page 221.) 



i G. Colin, Physiologie compare des animaux, 3e 6d., t. i. p. 422. 



