126 



PAETICDLAE FRACTUEES. 



the liml), the toe heing turned inwards, except when the head 

 of the femur is' forced into the foramen ovale, when the limb 

 ■will be found longer than its fellow, and the toe will be turned 



outwards. Fracture of the femur 

 sometimes results from muscular 

 contraction, when the animal is 

 cast and bound for operation, dis- 

 placement generally being the 

 immediate result ; and from the 

 numerous muscles which clothe 

 and are attached to this bone, re- 

 duction of the fracture is an im- 

 possibility. 



Fracture of the Trochanters. — 

 I have seen two cases of fracture 

 of trochanter minor extern us, from 

 the patient having fallen whilst 

 in the cart, this part of the thigh 

 coming in contact with the sbafts. 

 Any one who has seen a horse 

 down, and half turned round in. 

 the shafts, will easily imderstand 

 this, 

 and 

 The 



The diagnosis is difficult, 



the lameness is peculiar. 



elevation of the foot from 



ground, and the commence- 



of the act of extension of 



to be performed 



seem 



Fio. 12.^— Fracture of neck of 

 JFjemur, Bhowing displacement of the 

 tread ; revmion, with considerable , 



formation of temporary callus, o, menu 

 head ; h, trochanter major ; c and W^q limb 



' s po • with very little difficulty; but the 



concluding part of the elevation of the limb, and extension of 

 the femur on the pelvis, give the patient much pain, and cause 

 considerable lameness. The foot is let down with a jerk; but 

 after descending a short distance, the pain seems to abate, and 

 the final implanting on the ground is performed with compara- 

 tive ease and freedom. When the foot is implanted on the 

 ground, another pecvdiarity may be observed, namely, that tlie 

 extension of the pelvis on the femur is performed with difficulty. 

 In order to see all these peculiarities, the practitioner must be a 

 close observer. But to assist the young practitioner, let him 

 remember — Ist. The first act of raising the foot is done easily;; 



