144 PARTlOTJIiAR rBACTTTKESh 



Pattial disoloeaiion of the FeilocTc Joints, arising from diseases 

 of the feet, over- work, or a natural tendency to " knuckle over," 

 is an occurrence of which little need be said, and with the 

 exception of rest and perhaps a blister, no treatment can be 

 recommended.^ 



This form of unsoundness may also arise from relaxation of 

 the binding ligaments, and this may be the result of chronic 

 inflammation of them, leading to a degeneration of their proper 

 structure, when they will be found pulpy, more or less thick- 

 ened, and the areolar tissue wbich is amongst their fibres highly 

 vascular. 



The head cf tJie Femur may be dislocated in the ox, dog, and 

 cat ; but in the horse this is an impossibility without fracture, 

 ■owinr' to the fact that in the horse the " pubio femoral ligametit" 

 is found. This ligament arises from the head of the femur, passes 

 from the acetabulum through the cotyloid notch, then runs along 

 a grove on the under side of the pubis to the median line, where 

 it crosses its fellow from the opposite side, forming a cross, X. 

 and becomes finally lost in the faschia of the abdominal muscles. 

 In this manner the head of each femoral bone is kept in position 

 by the muscles of the opposite side of the abdomen. Reduc- 

 tion may be easily effected in the dog and cat by extension and 

 manipulation, and the parts maintained in position by a stiff 

 Burgundy pitch plaster ; but in the cow any treatment may be 

 considered c^iestionable, and if the animal is at aU fat, she should 

 be made into beef. 



The symptoms of this dislocation are similar to those of 

 fracture, but there wiU be no crepitation. As a rule, in the 

 dog and cat the dislocated bone will be found on the dorsum 

 of the ilium. There will be shortening of the limb, and total 

 inability" on the part of the patient to perform the ordinary 

 movements ; but should the dislocation be into the foramen 

 ovale, the limb will appeeir longer than its feUow, and the foot 

 turned outwards. 



Dislocation of the Carjfnis, or of one of the phalanges, is of com- 



' Note. — Since the above has been in type, I have had the opportvinity of di«- 

 Bectlng a limb, -where habitual "knuckling over" at the fetlock was found to be 

 <lue to an arrcBted development of the extentor txtffratjinit. The tendon of thsa 

 muscle terminated at the upper head of the metacarpus p>arruB extemus, the action 

 of the extensor muscle thus terminating at the knee, and the fetlock knuckled om 

 ivom the want of the support of its tendon. 



