339 



which is usually unsuccessful, the animal whose mishap it lias been 

 to become a victim to it being disabled for life. The superiov head of 

 the arm bone as it is received into the lower cavity of the shoulder 

 blade is so situated as to be liable to be forced out of x^laee in four 

 directions. It may escape from its socket, according to the manner 

 in Avliich the violence affects it, outwards, inwards, backwards, or 

 forwards, and the deformity Avhich results and the effects which 

 follow will correspondingly differ. We have said that treatment is 

 generally unsuccessful. It may be added that the difficulties which 

 interpose in the way of reduction are nearly insurmountable, and 

 that the api)lication of means for the retention of the parts after 

 reduction would be next to impossible. The prognosis is sufficiently 

 grave from any point of view for the luckless animal with a dislocated 

 shoulder. 



The liip joint. — This joint partakes very much of the characteristics 

 of the humero-scapular articulation, but is more strongly built. The 

 head of the thigh bone is more separated, or prominent and rounder 

 in form, and the cup-like cavity or socket into which it fits is much 

 deeper, forming together a deep, true ball-and-socket joint, which is, 

 moreover, reenforced by two strong cords of funicular ligaments, 

 which unite them together. It will be easily comprehended, from this 

 hint of the anatomy of the region, that a luxation of the hip joint 

 must be an accident of comparatively rare occurrence. And yet cases 

 are recorded in which the head of the bone has been affirmed to slip 

 out of its cavity and assume various positions, inwards, outwards, 

 forwards, and backwards. 



The indications of treatment are those of all cases of dislocation. 

 When the reduction is accomplished the surgeon will be apprised 

 of the fact by the peculiar snapping sound usually heard on such 

 occasions. 



Pseudo luxations of the poiella. — This is not a true dislocation. The 

 stifle bone is so peculiarly articulated with the thigh bone that the 

 means of union are of sufficient strength to resist the causes which 

 usually give rise to luxations. Yet there is sometimes discovered a 

 I)eculiar pathological state in the hind legs of animals, the effect of 

 which is closely to simulate the manifestation of many of the general 

 sj'mptoms of dislocations. This peculiar pathological condition origi- 

 nates in muscular cram^Ds, the action of which is seen in a certain 

 cliange in the coaptation of the articular surfaces of the stifle and 

 thigh bone, resulting in the exhibition of a sudden and alarming series 

 of symptoms which have suggested the phrase of "stifle out" as a 

 descriptive term. The animal so affected stands quietly and firmly 

 in his stall, or perhai)s with one of his hind legs extended backwards, 

 and resists every attemx)t to move him backwards, and if urged to 

 move forwards he will either refuse or eomi)ly witli a jump, with the 

 toe of the disabled leg dragging on the ground and brought forward 



