(LAMENESS IN THE HIND LEG 197 



where the acetalnilmn is involved and its hrim not completely 

 divided. 



Etiology and Occurrence. — Pelvic fractures are usually 

 caused by falls or other manner of contusion. Cases are re- 

 ported where it would seem that fracture of the iliac angle re- 

 sulted from muscular contraction, but it is certain that most 

 fractures of this kind are due to collisions with door jambs or 

 similar injuries. In old horses especially, fracture of pelvic 

 bones occurs frequently. This form of injury is of more frequent 

 occurrence in animals of all ages that work on paved streets. 

 The country horse is not subjected to the uncertain footing of 

 the slippery pavement, nor to injuries which compare with those 

 caused by contusions sustained in falling npon asphalt or cobble- 

 stones. 



Symjptomatology. — While in many cases of pelvic fracture 

 lameness or al)nornial decumbency are the salient manifestations, 

 yet the pathognomic symptoms are crepitation or palpable evi- 

 dence which may be ol)tained by rectal or vaginal examination. 

 In fractures of the angle of the ilium and the ischial tulierosity, 

 perceptible evidence always exists. 



In cases where fracture of some portion of the pelvic girdle 

 is suspected and the subject is able to walk, crepitation is sought 

 by placing one hand on an external angle of the ilium and the 

 other on the ischial tul)erosity and the animal is then made to 

 walk. Or, by placing the hands as just directed, an assistant 

 may grasp the horse's tail and by alternately exerting traction 

 on the tail and pushing against the hip in such manner that 

 weight is shifted from one leg to the other, crepitation may be 

 detected. 



Fracture of the pubis near its symphysis constitutes a grave 

 injury, as there is danger of the bladder becoming caught in the 

 fissure and perforation of its wall may result. Such a case is 

 reported by Bauman'^ wherein a three-year-old gelding bore the 

 history of having l)een lame for ten days. Upon rectal examina- 

 tion the bladder was found to be hard and tumor-like and about 

 the size of a baseball. The body of the ischium in this case 



^Case report at meeting of the Iowa State Veterinary Medical Associatioii, 

 Jan., 1904, by Dr. S. H. Bauman, Birmingham, la. 



