LAMENESS IN THE FORE LEG 61 



flicting offense or as weapons of defense. Yet, in the exercise of 

 their functions other than that of locomotive appliances, injury 

 often results, but usually it is the recipient of a blow that suffers 

 the injury, such as an animal may receive upon being kicked. 

 Therefore, we do not often concern ourselves with strains or other 

 injuries that the subject experiences as the result of efforts put 

 forth in kicking or striking. Where such injuries occur, how- 

 ever, a diagnosis is established l)y making use of the principles 

 heretofore discussed. 



As propelling members the front legs bear weight and are 

 advanced alternately when the horse is walking or trotting — in 

 cantering this is not so. When the normal subject travels in a 

 straight line, at a walk or a trot, the length of the stride is the 

 same with the right and left nu^nbers. The stride of the right 

 foot then, for example, is equally divided by the imprint of the 

 left foot, in the normal horse, when traveling at a walk and in 

 a straight line. 



Shoulder Lameness. 



This enigmatical term is frequently employed by the diag- 

 mostician when he is baffled in the matter of definitely locating 

 the cause of lameness; when he has by exclusion and otherwise 

 arrived at a decision that lameness is "high up." Shoulder 

 lameness may lie caused l)y any one or several of a number of 

 conditions, e. g., fractures of the scapula or humerus; arthritis 

 of the shoulder or elbow joint; luxation of the shoulder or ell)OW 

 joint (rarely) ; injuries of muscles and tendons of the region due 

 to strains, contusions or penetrant wounds; paralysis of the 

 brachial plexus or of the prescapular nerve; involvement of 

 lymph glands; arterial thrombosis; metastatic infections; rheu- 

 matic disturbances ; and as the result of inflammation, infectious 

 or non-infectious occasioned by collar bruises. In some instances 

 such inflammation is due to the manner of treatment of collar 

 injuries. Therefore, when one considers the numerous and dis- 

 similar possible causes of shoulder lameness, it behooves the prac- 

 titioner to become proficient in diagnostic principles. 



A principle which is elemental in the diagnosis of locomotory 

 impediment, is that lameness of the shoulder or hip is usually 



