204 LAMENESS OP THE HORSE 



pain is evinced upon manipulation of the parts. A character- 

 istic gait marks inflammation of the trochanteric bursa, and as 

 G-unther has put it, the subject generally moves or trots as does 

 the dog — the sound member being carried in advance of the 

 affected one and the forward stride of the diseased leg is short- 

 ened. In some chronic cases crepitation is discernible by holding 

 the hand on the trochanter while the subject walks. 



Treatment.— In the first stages of an acute affection abso- 

 lute quiet must be enforced; local antiphlogistic applications 

 are bencfioial. Later, vesication of a liberal area surrounding 

 the trochanter major is indicated. Where the condition has be- 

 come chronic in horses that are to be kept at heavy draft work 

 there is little chance for complete recovery. And, naturally, 

 one is not to expect resolution in cases where there exist erosion 

 and ossification of cartilage — where crepitation is discernible. 



Paralysis of the Hind Leg. 



Aside from paraplegic conditions due to disease of the cord or 

 the lumbosacral plexus, and monoplegic affections resultant from 

 disturbances of this plexus, paralysis of certain nerves are oc- 

 casionally encountered. 



Anatomy. — The lumbosacral plexus results substantially 

 from the union of the ventral branches of the last three lumbar 

 and the first two sacral nerves, but it derives a small root from 

 the third lumbar nerve also. The anterior part of the plexus 

 lies in front of the internal iliac artery, between the lumbar 

 transverse processes and the psoas minor. It supplies branches 

 to the iliopsoas^ (designated by Girard, the iliacomuscular 

 nerves) . The posterior part lies partly upon and partly in the 

 texture of the sacrosciatic ligament. From the plexus are de- 

 rived the nerves of the pelvic limb (Sisson). 



Paralysis of the Femoral (Crviral) Nerve. 



Anatomy.— Til e femoral nerve (crural) is derived chiefly 

 from the fourth and fifth lumbar nerves. It runs ventrally 



'Because of the intimacy of the psoas major (p. magnus) and the iliacus 

 they are sometimes called iliopsoas. 



