CHAPTER XXV. 



DISEASE OF THE HEAD OF SUSPENSORY 

 LIGAMENT. 



The extreme courtesy of Dr. M. H. McKillip enables 

 the writer to describe this peculiar and yet characteristic 

 lameness. The latter was given an opportunity to study 

 this lameness in two well-marked cases by Dr. M. H. Mc- 

 Killip, who also informed him that these cases are com- 

 paratively rare. 



History. — Over-exertion. 



Inspection. — When standing little or nothing unusual is 

 seen, except in severe cases, when all four feet, especially 

 the fore-feet, are brought toward the center of gravity. 

 When walkiug the hock is flexed imperfectly; the point of 

 the hock is abducted, while the toes are turned in more or 

 less and the auimal appears bow-legged. The toe touches 

 the ground first, the heel coming down rather suddenly, the 

 fetlock shows excessive dorsal flexion as the function of the 

 supporting leg begins. The above symptoms are marked 

 when trotting. When the animal trots toward the observer^ 

 the femoro-tibial articulation appears abducted and promi- 

 nent as the leg swings forward. The shoe shows excessive 

 wear at the toe. In cases of long standing exostoses about 

 the suspensory ligament, the result of a subsequent perios- 

 titis, are apparent. 



Palpation. — In the earliest stages nothing, or a slight 

 soreness, is present. Periostitis and its characteristic 

 .symptoms are manifested later on. 



