CHAPTEK X. 



LAMENESS IK THE GLUTEAL REGION. 



1. — Hip Lameness. 



The symptoms in hip lameness are sufficiently pronounced 

 to establish the region of the hip as the seat of the 

 lameness. Nevertheless, it is an ambiguous diagnosis, 

 which immediately points out that the exact seat of the 

 lameness is only known approximately. Nor is it to 

 be wondered at, that diagnostic difficulties are met with, 

 since the thick layers of muscles necessarily interfere 

 with palpation and the results of phathological processes, as 

 heat, pain and swelling, etc., are ill-defined; therefore, 

 morbid conditions about the hip joint or upper region of the 

 hind-leg will occasionally escape the closest observer. 



History. — Lameness following falls, collisions, kicks, 

 slips, etc. 



From a clinical standpoint it is of value to divide this 

 lameness into three main groups : (a) In the bones of 

 the pelvis or femur, as old fractures ; {h) diseased conditions 

 of the muscles of that region, this being undoubtedly the 

 most frequent cause ; (c) peripheral nerve paralysis, 

 especially in paralysis of branches of the great sciatic, 

 crural and obturator nerves. 



Inspection. — It is clear that the nature of a lameness 

 depending on so many causes will not be alike in all cases; 



