422 STABLE MANUAL AND HOKSE DOCTOR 



especially of the inside of the thigh. The deep situation 

 of the part presents difficulty. Cold applications, where 

 tumefaction and heat are present, followed by stimulant 

 fomentations, a mild blister frequently repeated, and local 

 bleeding, may be tried with good effect. What is called 

 "lameness in the hip" proves, however, in most cases, on 

 careful examination, to have the " hock " for its true seat. 



Strain or Injury of the Ligaments of the Stifle or Patella 

 is shown by the difficulty the horse feels in putting forward 

 the hind leg ; also by swelling and tenderness of the part. 



The Treatment should consist of bleeding, either generally, 

 or from the thigh ; warm fomentations to the part, followed 

 by cold lotions ; and, if the lameness continue, the joint 

 should be blistered, or setons inserted over it. 



Dislocation, or Fracture, of the Patella. — This injury, 

 also included under "lameness in the stifle," is often mis- 

 taken for " cramp," as farriers term it. The signs of a dis- 

 located patella (knee-pan or whirl-bone) are the rigid thrust 

 of the hind leg backwards, where it remains fixed ; the head 

 is erected, and the muscles quiver, while the pastern of the 

 injured leg is bent upwards. An unusual swelling will be 

 perceived at the outer and lower part of the buttock. By 

 grasping the condyles (knobs) of the thigh-bone, the dis- 

 placement of the patella can be felt, and the absence of the 

 protuberant patella from its proper position, and its shift to 

 the outer edge of the thigh are visible, though not so to the 

 unskilful observer in coarse, fleshy horses. 



The bone is always dislocated outwards ; the form of the 

 lower end of the femur, the strength of the ligaments, and 

 the power of the muscles on the outward side, all prevent 

 the bone from being dislocated inwards. It sometimes 

 happens from weakness, when mere motion will be sufficient 

 to reduce it. Nevertheless, in other instances, surgical aid 

 is needed. In such cases proceed as follows : In the first 

 place, have the leg drawn forward, if necessary, by means of 

 a rope passed over a beam or rafter, and around the fetlock ; 

 then push violently against the dislocated bone, the position 

 of which will be accurately told by the swelling it produces. 

 It will generally fly back with seme noise ; and having got 

 it in its proper situation, partially release the drawn-up leg, 

 and have an assistant to hold the bone justly, by pushing 

 against it for several hours ; afterwards blister the part to 

 render the animal averse to using it. 



