278 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



two bones are united is weaker than the adjoining parts of the bone. 

 When an animal slips violently, spreading the legs wide apart, the 

 weaker materials give way and the bones are divided. If the acci- 

 dent is noticed w^hen it occurs, it is likely to throw light on the 

 nature of the injury. The animal will immediately go stiff behind, 

 the legs being spread apart. Further examination may be made by 

 introducing the hand, previously carefully oiled, into the rectum or 

 vagina and pressing down along the central line, which will cause 

 the patient to evince acute pain. In this case no appliance can be 

 used to advantage. The animal should be tied in a stall until the 

 parts become reunited and the lameness disappears. 



Fracture of the posterior parts of the bone (ischium), which forms 

 the point of the buttocks occasionally occurs. The buttock on the 

 injured side will be less prominent than the other. Careful manipu- 

 lation will generally move the parts so that crepitus may be recog- 

 nized. If the fracture is through the posterior part of the bone, it is 

 unimportant and deserving of no more attention than placing the 

 animal in such position as to insure it against subsequent injury until 

 the bones are united. Some distortion may result, but not sufficient 

 to warrant interference. 



.Fracture through the body of the bone on a line with the hip joint 

 (acetabulum) occasionally, though rarely, occurs, and is nearh^ al- 

 ways 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 the powerful muscles of the hip 

 renders it impossible to reduce the dislocation, and even if it were 

 possible the fractured pelvis could not be held in position, so that 

 the case becomes at once hopeless. It may be recognized by the 

 animal's 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 liable to be some 

 apparent distortion in the relations between the point of the hip and 

 the point of the buttock. This Avill be more readily noticed by com- 

 paring the injured side with the other. The parts may be moved so 

 as to produce crepitus. The examination may^be completed by intro- 

 ducing the oiled hand into the vagina or rectum, when the two sides 

 of the pelvis will reveal well-marked differences. 



Fracture of the point or 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," or having the hip " knocked down." This accident 

 may 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 



