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by a second effort. There is no flexion at the lioclc and no motion at 

 the stifle, while the circular motion of the hij) is quite free. The leg 

 appears to be much longer than the other, owing to the straightened 

 position of the thigh bone, which forms almost a straight line with 

 the tibia from the hip joint down. The stifle joint is motionless, and 

 the motions of all the joints below it are more or less interfered with. 

 External examination of the muscles of the hip and thigh discovers a 

 certain amount of rigidity, with perhaps some soreness, and the stifle 

 bone may be seen projecting more or less on the outside and upper 

 part of the joint. 



This state of things may continue foi- some length of time and 

 until treatment is applied, or it may spontaneously and suddenly 

 terminate, leaving everything in its normal condition, Init perhaps 

 to return again. 



Pseudo dislocation of the patella is likely to occur under many of 

 the conditions which cause actual dislocation, and yet it may often 

 occur in animals which have not been exposed to the ordinary causes, 

 but which have remained at rest in their stables. Sometimes these 

 cases are referred to falls in a slippery stall, or perhaps slipping when 

 endeavoring to rise ; sometimes to weakness in convalescing patients ; 

 sometimes to lack of tonicity of structure and general debility ; some- 

 times to relaxation of tissues from want of exercise or use. 



The reduction of these displacements of the patella is not usually 

 attended with difficulty. A sudden jerk or spasmodic action will often 

 be all that is required to spring the patella into place, when the flexion 

 of the leg at the hock ends the trouble for the time. But this is not 

 always suflicient, and a true reduction may still be indicated. To 

 effect this the leg must be drawn well forward by a rope attached to 

 the lower end, and the patella, grasped with the hand, forcibly pushed 

 forwards and inwards and made to slip over the outside border of 

 the trochlea of the femur. The bone suddenly slips into position, the 

 excessive rigor of the leg ceases with a spasmodic jerk, and the animal 

 may walk or trot away without suspicion of lameness. But though 

 this may end the trouble for the time, and the restoration seem 

 to be perfect and permanent, a repetition of the entire transaction 

 may subsequently take place, and perhaps from the loss of some 

 portion of tensile power which would naturally follow the original 

 attack in the muscles involved the lesion might become a habitual 

 weakness. 



Warm fomentations and douches with cold water will often promote 

 permanent recovery, and liberty in a box stall or in the field will in 

 many cases insure constant relief. The use of a high-heeled shoe is 

 recommended by European veterinarians. The use of stimulating 

 liniments, with frictions, charges or even severe blisters, may be 

 resorted to in order to prevent the repetition of the difficulty by 

 strengthening and toning up the parts. 



