58 LAMENESS IN THE HOESE. 



the period of weight-bearing, particularly as the lame leg is 

 perpendicularly under the hody. While at rest the 

 phalanges are kept in volar flexion. At times the animal 

 attempts to support weight with the lame leg by putting the 

 heel upon some elevation, but carefully avoids sustaining 

 •weight with the whole bearing surface of the hoof. 

 Permanent volar flexion of all the phalangeal articulations 

 indicates contraction of the perforans ; but contraction of 

 the suspensory ligament and of the perforatus only affects 

 the position of the fetlock. 



Palpation. — When the perforans is involved, the pain and 

 lameness are severe, while inflammation of the perforatus 

 and suspensory ligament either causes moderate or no 

 lameness at all. Passive rotation of the various joints does 

 not give any pain. Heat, pain and swelling, in the first 

 stages, are present in varying degrees; but being often 

 indistinct, great care is necessary in differentiating pain from 

 mere nervousness. Pain and swelling are best detected by 

 raising the lame leg and flexing it, this being the only way, 

 as already stated, to examine each structure separately. 

 Of course, in clean legs, swelling can frequently be seen 

 from a distance, otherwise most careful palpation is required 

 to detect it. In cases of some standing there is often 

 permanent volar flexion of the phalanges ; this permanent 

 volar flexion can be recognized as such by raising the sound 

 leg, and thus the lame leg must support the whole weight 

 at that moment. Wben volar flexion of the phalanges is due 

 to chronic changes in the tendons — that is, contraction of the 

 tendons — the upright position will persist under that test. 

 3.— Fracture of the Metacarpal Bone. 



History. — Lameness suddenly following kicks, falls and 

 external violence. 



