20 LAMENESS IN THE HORSE. 



of the shoulder, as even moderate pressure with the hand 

 against siugle muscles or groups of them produces flinching 

 in animals perfectly sound ; therefore, in the detection of 

 pain by palpation, it is well to test the sensibility not only 

 of the supposed seat of the lameness, but also the corre- 

 sponding part on the sound leg. 



Increase of temperature of any part is perceived by the 

 palm, or, better yet, the dorsal portion of the hand. Of 

 course the greater the inflamed area the easier the detection 

 of it. A good deal depends on the condition of the 

 examining hand, a cold hand being least adapted to 

 appreciate differences of temperature. At the same time 

 the hand must be rested gently upon the parts to be tested, 

 keeping it there for a few seconds, remembering that any 

 firm pressure decreases the chances to notice slight changes 

 in temperature. The test is usually executed by resting 

 both hands (equally warm), one on the diseased area and 

 the other upon the corresponding one of the sound limb. 

 Acute inflammatory processes of the skin or parts below it 

 are recognized by an increase of tempeiature ; increased 

 heat of a part may be due to prolonged resting of the hand 

 upon the place to be tested. 



Palpation is further of value to detect crepitation, as in 

 fractures or inflammation of tendons and their sheaths. To 

 examine for fracture, the parts just above the supposed 

 broken bone are fixed, and the parts below the injury are 

 abducted, adducted and rotated to bring out abnormal 

 mobility and crepitation. lu fractures of the pelvis one 

 hand is placed upon the external angle of the ilium, the 

 other one upon the postero-external angle of the ischium, 

 then piishiug toward the opposite side ; or the animal is 

 walked with the hands resting upon the above-named 



