LAMENESS IN THE REGION OF THE HIP- JOINT. 93 



swelling over the hip joint, recognized by palpation to be 

 the trochanter of the femur. 



2.— Inflammation of the Hip Joint. 



This disease is rave iu the hoise, and seldom recognized 

 as such. More or less severe lameness when the leg is 

 brought forward, it being advanced in an outward swinging 

 manner. If the animal is suddenly turned on the diseased 

 leg, it is liable to collapse. "When purulent inflammation 

 of the joiut is present, symptoms of cellulitis in the region 

 of the joint can be discovered, consistiug, in the first stages, 

 of a hot, painful, doughy swelling, becoming harder later on, 

 with abscess formation. 



3.— Fracture of the Femur. 



^e.s^o?-?/.— Sudden lameness following falls, kicks, strug- 

 gling while cast, with inability to rise, etc. 



Imjjecfioii.—Swingmg-leg lameness is seen, as well as 

 supporting-leg lameness. The tottering, dangling motion of 

 the thigh, even at a distance, suggests fracture of the femur 

 or tibia. Should the lower portion of the fractured bone 

 slip into the cotyloid cavity, thus enabling the animal to 

 support weight on that leg, it may become difficult to 

 diagnose it, but, as a ruly, the leg is then perceptibly 

 shortened. Severe swingiiig-leg lameness, — tbat is, a 

 shortened and retarded forward stride and abduction of the 

 leg, — together with swelling ovei- the region of the 

 trochanter, follows fracture of the latter. Fracture of a 

 condyle is accompanied by severe swinging and supporting 

 leg lameness; all the joiuts are kept flexed, aud symptoms 

 of acute infla-nraatiou of the stifle joiut set in in a few days. 

 iSee page 101.) 



