308 FRACTURES. 



sequently in fracture of the shaft of the ilium, it will more or less 

 yield to the pull of the muscles which are attached to it. With the 

 hand in the rectum (p. 394), we can feel the displaced condition of 

 the broken ends of the bone. (3) Crepitation. The sound or feeling 

 of the broken ends of bone rubbing against each >other may be per- 

 ceived in cases of fracture of the body of the pelvis, when the animal 

 is moved, or when the hand feels the parts through the bowel. (4) 

 Wasting. In fractures extending into the hip joint, the muscles 

 over the pelvis soon show marked signs of wasting, while those of 

 the thigh take but little part in this reduction of substance. 



TREATMENT. — The only possible treatment is to put the animal 

 in slings and feed him on green food. In any of the graver forms 

 of fracture of the 23elvis, it is all but imperative to keep the animal 

 in slings for about three months ; for if he lies down, he will almost 

 to a certainty do irreparable damage to himself by displacing the 

 bones ; consequently we shall have to accept the risk of laminitis 

 (pp. 186 and 189). 



POINT OF THE HIP {Drojoped /u^).— Fracture of this part 

 (anterior iliac spine) (Figs. 115, 118, and 120) is, perhaps, the 

 most common of all these injuries to the horse. It not un- 

 frequently occurs on account of the animal liitting himseK when 

 passing through a narrow gateway, or by falls. When a gateway 

 is at fault, the accident usually happens by two animals trying 

 to get through at the same time. Hence, the doorway of a box 

 or hovel which is intended for a mare and foal, should be about 

 half as wide again as an ordinary doorway. When this fracture 

 takes place, it is very difficult for the broken point of bone to 

 obtain rest; because some of the abdominal muscles which 

 are attached to it, alternately contract and become relaxed during 

 the inspiration and expiration of air. Hence, fibrous union or a 

 false joint (p. 297) is the usual method of repair. I have, 

 however, seen dissections of cases in which the detached portion 

 of bone overlapped the adjoining part of the pelvis, and became 

 firmly fixed to it by bony union. If the disconnected portion of 

 bone acts as a source of inflammation on account of its not be- 

 coming united, it should be cut down upon and removed. Although 

 the accident causes an unsightly blemish, in rendering the affected 

 side flatter than its fellow (Fig. 120), it does not, as a rule, mate- 

 rially diminish the animal's usefulness, and even at first, often 

 causes little or no lameness. It is, however, from a legal point of 

 view, an undoubted unsoundness. 



