286 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



injured side will be less prominent that 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 

 unmiportant and deserving of no more attention than placing the 

 animal in such a position as to insure it against subsequent injuiy 

 until the bones are united. Some distortion is likely to 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 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 pelvis 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 seem- 

 ing 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 ap- 

 parent distortion in the relations Ijetween the point of the hip and the 

 point of the buttock. This will be more readily noticed by compar- 

 ing 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 or 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," or haA'ing the hip " knocked down." 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 gen- 

 erally extends across the flat surface of the l>one 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 dif- 

 ferent cases and with it the resulting deformity. The animal is 

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

 detached 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. The bones therefore remain perma- 

 nently separated, union taking place by fibrous callus. The animal 

 suffers very little inconvenience, and for practical use may be as 

 serviceable as before the accident, though the distorted appearance 

 depreciates its value. 



