345 



region to the otlier in a descrii^tion of its anatoiny, its pliysiology, and 

 its pathology, wonld be a snbstitntion of anatomical names in refer- 

 ring to certain bones, articnlations, muscles, ligaments, and mem- 

 l>ranes concerned in the injuries and diseases described. It would be 

 only a useless repetition to cover again the ground over which we 

 have so recently passed in recital of the manner in which certain 

 forms of external violence (falls, blows, kicks, etc.) result in other 

 certain forms of lesion (luxation, fracture, periostitis, ostitis, etc.), 

 and to recapitulate the items of treatment and the names of the med- 

 icaments proi)er to use. The same rules of diagnosis and the same 

 indications and prognosis are ajiplicable equally to every portion of 

 the organism, with only such modifications in ai^plying dressings and 

 apparatus as may be required b}' diffei'ences of conformation and other 

 minor circumstances, which must suggest themselves to the judgment 

 of every experienced observer when the occasion arri\'es for its exercise. 



There is an excei)tion to be made, while considering the subject in 

 connection with the region now under advisement, in respect to the 

 formidable affection known as morbus coxarius, or hip-joiiit disease; 

 and leaving the detail of other lesions to take their place under otlier 

 heads, that relating to the shoulder, for instance, we turn to the hip 

 joint and its ailments as the chief subject of our present consideration. 



In investigating for morbus coxarius, let the observer first examine 

 the lame animal by scanning critically the outlines of the joint and 

 the region adjacent for any difference of size or disturbance of sym- 

 metry in the parts, any prominence or rotundity, and on both sides. 

 The lame side will probably be warmer, more developed and fuller, 

 both to the touch and to the eye. Let him then grasp the lower part 

 of the leg (as he would in examining a case of shoulder lameness) 

 and endeavor to produce excessive passive motion. This will prob- 

 ably cause pain when the leg is made to assume a given position. 

 Let him push the thigh forcibly against the hip bone, and the contact 

 will again probably cause a manifestation of pain. If the horse is 

 trotted, the limited action of the hip joint proper and the excessive 

 dropping and rising of the hip of the opposite side will be easil}^ recog- 

 nized. The abductive or circumflex motion observed in shoulder 

 lameness is also present in hii) lameness, but under special conditions, 

 and the test of the difficulty, either by traveling on soft ground or 

 making the lame leg a pivot in turning the horse in a circle, may here 

 also contribute to the diagonosis as in testing for lameness in the 

 anterior extremity. 



The prognosis of hip lameness is at times quite serious, not only on 

 account of the long duration of treatment required to effect good 

 results, and because of the characters which may be assumed by the 

 disease, but of the permanence of the disability resulting from it. 

 Exostosis and ulcerative arthritis are sequelae which often resist every 

 form of treatment. 



