BONES DISEASES AND ACCIDENTS. 29*3 



(acetabulum) occasionally though rarely occurs, and is nearly always 

 associated with dislocation of the hip joint and the forcing of the head 

 of the upper bone of the leg (femur) upward, far out of its place. The 

 violent contraction of powerful muscles of the hip renders it impossible 

 to reduce the dislocation, and even if it were possible the fractured pel- 

 vis could not be held in position, so that the case becomes at once a 

 hopeless one. It may be recognized by the animal standing on three 

 legs, the leg on the injured side seeming shorter than its fellow and 

 hanging pendulous, the muscles of the hip violently contracted and 

 hard to the touch. The animal evinces great pain when the limb is 

 moved. There is likely to be some apparent distortion in the relations 

 between the point of the hip and the point of the buttock. This will be 

 more readily noticed by comparing the injured side with the other. The 

 parts may be moved so as to produce crepitus. The examination may 

 be completed by introducing the oiled hand into the vagina or rectum 

 when the two sides of the pelvis will reveal well marked differences. 



Fracture of the point of the hip. The anterior and external part of 

 the pelvis (ilium), commonly known as the point of the hip, is liable to 

 fracture which stock owners describe as " hipping," or being " hipped." 

 This accident is likely to be the result of crowding while passing 

 through a narrow door, of falling violently on the point of the hip, or 

 from a violent blow directed downward and forward against it. The 

 lesion generally extends across the flat surface of the bone from its 

 outer and posterior edge forward and inward. Distortion is likely to 

 be the only noticeable symptom. The detached portion varies in size 

 in different cases and with it the resulting deformity. The animal is 

 noticed to be slightly lame, but this symptom soon disappears. The 

 let ached portion of the bone is drawn downward and away from the 

 main part by the action of the muscles below, which are so powerful as 

 to render return impossible. Bony union between the two parts does 

 not again take place, but a cartilaginous hinge, previously described as 

 a false joint, supplies the deficiency. The animal suffers very little 

 inconvenience, and for practical use may be serviceable as before the 

 accident, though the distorted appearance depreciates its value. 



Fracture of the rib*. Such an occurrence can take place only as the 

 result of a direct injury, as from blows or crowding. The posterior 

 ribs, being more exposed, are more liable to fracture. Pain in moving, 

 slight swelling over the seat of injury, and diflicult breathing are obvi- 

 ous symptoms. If the fracture be complete, crepitation may be occa- 

 sionally noticed by placing the hand flat over the injured part, observ- 

 ing carefully the motion as the chest contracts and expands during 

 respiration. This symptom is more noticeable when the animal coughs. 

 Unless the point of the broken bone penetrates the cavity of the chest 

 the fracture is usually unimportant and calls for no treatment other 

 than quiet. If the breathing is very labored and attended with much 

 pain, motion may be limited by applying a wide bandage firmly around 



