206 DISEASES OF HORSES AND CATTLE. 



ward. There is total inability on the part of the 

 animal to bring the leg forward, owing to the pa- 

 tella being on the pulley-like groove. Some- 

 times the animal will be found standing solid on 

 its foot, but on trying to move the animal it seems 

 fixed to the ground, and if forced to move it will 

 hop on its legs, with the affected one stretched out 

 behind. On looking at the joint a swelling will be 

 observed on the outside. This is the stifle bone. It 

 cannot slip to the inside on account of the high pro- 

 jection of the inside of the pulley. If it does take 

 place it will be found that the ligaments which 

 hold it in place have been ruptured, and the animal 

 will be of no use. 



Treatment: In cases where it moves out and in 

 at every step, or if it happens to the animal fre- 

 quently, keep the animal quiet in the stable and ap- 

 ply a blister of cantharides two drams, lard one and 

 one-half ounces. Repeat every second week until 

 the part is well. It is sometimes useful to give a 

 case of this kind a teaspoonful of phosphate of cal- 

 cium twice a day in a bran mash for a few weeks. 

 This will give strength and tone to the muscle 

 fiber. In cases of dislocation of the patella by ac- 

 cident put a rope around the fetlock joint of the 

 affected leg, and the other end through a strap or 

 collar on the neck, then let two men pull on therope 

 and in this way bring the affected leg as far for- 

 ward as possible. The operator stands behind the 

 horse with one hand on the inside of the joint, and 

 with the other pushes the patella on its place, 

 which it will do with a snap; then remove the rope 



