DIAGNOSTIC PRINCIPLES 41 



fiammation is not often made use of in the examination of 

 equine subjects. 



Attitude of the Subject. 



The position assumed while the subject is in repose, is often 

 characteristic of certain affections and this, of course, is noted 

 at once. The manner in which the weight is borne by the animal 

 at rest, should attract the attention of the diagnostician and if 

 the attitude of the subject is abnormal or peculiar, the ex- 

 aminer tries to determine the reason for it. If weight-bearing 

 causes symptoms of pain, the affected member will invariably be 

 favored and held in some one of a number of positions. The 

 foot may contact the ground squarely and yet the leg may re- 

 main relaxed and free from pressure; volar flexion, in such 

 cases, is indicative of inflammation of a part of the flexor ap- 

 paratus. If the condition be very painful, position of the af- 

 flicted member is frequently shifted, but in all cases where the 

 pain is not so keenly felt, the inflamed member is held in a 

 state of relaxation. There is need then, for a knowledge of 

 anatomy and certain principles in physics to enalile tlie ol)server 

 to determine just which structures are purposely eased in this 

 manner. Where palpation of parts is possible, one does not 

 need to depend on visual examination alone, and it is always 

 wise to take into consideration every factor that may influence 

 conditions. Manipulation or palpation of the stnictures thought 

 to be involved, should not he resorted to until a careful and 

 thorough observation of the subject has revealed all that it can 

 reveal to the diagnostician. 



In all conditions where extreme pain is manifested by the 

 constant desire of the animal to keep its foot in motion off 

 the ground, examination should be made for local cause. This 

 is seen in certain septic inflammations of the feet such as those 

 caused by nail punctures invading the navicular joint, or in 

 newly made wounds where nerves have been divided and the 

 proximal end of such a nerve is exposed to pressure or irritation. 



"Pointing" affords a comfortable position in some cases of 

 navicular disease, and in a unilateral affection, one may observe 

 the subject bearing weight with one sound member, while the 

 affected foot is planted well ahead of the sound one. In a bi- 



