CHAPTER III. 



THE HIND-LEG. 



From the dock the hand is passed down the 

 quarter and from there to the stifle-joint. 



Stifle-joint. — Notes should be taken of the 

 condition ,y of this joint in passing, and enlarge- 

 ments here looked for ; but, as a rule, one does 

 not find horses suffering much from diseases of 

 the stifle-joint luxation, or dislocation of the 

 patella, a small bone that is situated in front of 

 the joint being the chief trouble, and if this has 

 occurred more than once, as it frequently does if 

 it takes place at all, a thickening or an enlarge- 

 ment of the parts is usually met with. 



From the stifle-joint the examination is con- 

 tinued down the gaskin and thighs until the 

 hock is reached, carefully noting when going 

 over the large tendons (the gastrocnemii), just 



