200 LAMENESS OP THE HORSE 



reports in the Veterinary Jonrnal (English) fracture of the head 

 and internal trochanter of the femur and patellar luxation oc- 

 curring simultaneously affecting a mule. In this case the mule 

 was found decumbent on a concrete floor. After three weeks, 

 the subject was destroyed and autopsy revealed rupture of the 

 left pubiofemoral ligament, tearing with it a portion of the 

 articular surface of the femur. The internal trochanter was 

 also fractured in four small pieces. In this case it is fair to 

 suppose that the mule in trying to regain footing on a slippery 

 floor violently abducted the legs and fracture resulted. It is 



Fig. 46 — Oblique fracture of the femur of a 1,500 six-year-old draft hoi'se. 

 Showing- shortening of bone, owing to a lateral approximation of the diaphysis 

 because of muscular contraction. Photo by Dr. Edward Merillat. 



possible also that a temporary luxation of the patella took place 

 first and caused the animal to struggle in such manner that frac- 

 ture followed. 



Symptomatology. — According to Cadiot and Almy,' "regard- 

 less of the location of femoral fractures, the subject is usually 

 intensely lame, the animal frequently w;dking on three legs — 

 fractures of the diaphysis are characterized by an alinormal mo- 

 l)ility." 



As a rule, crepitation is to be recognized in fractures of the 



iTraite de Thgrapeutique Chirurgical des Animaux Domestique par V. J. 

 Cadiot et J. Almy, Tome second, page 460. 



