DISEASES OF THE JOINTS 447 



bring about a similar though less marked condition. We 

 may be quite sure of this — that whenever such lesions (as, 

 for example, sprain and partial rupture of the lateral liga- 

 ments) do occur, and the normal position of the opposing 

 bones is changed, if only slightly, that great pain and 

 excessive lameness must be the result, and this with but 

 little to show in the foot. Many of our cases of obscure 

 foot lameness might, if capable of demonstration, turn out 

 to be cases of sprain and partial dislocation of the pedal 

 articulation. 



Recorded Case. — ' The animal, a trooper of the 8th Hussars, 

 was found on the morning of April 17 unable to bear any 

 weight on the limb (the near hind). Cause not known — 

 the heel-rope I thought at first ; but on investigation I 

 found the heel-rope had been on the other leg. 



' Diagnosis. — ^Dislocation of the left os coronre from the 

 articulating surface of the os pedis in a backward direction. 



' Every devisable means were unsuccessful in reducing 

 the limb to its natural position. The horse was thrown, 

 and a strong rope, with four men pulling at it, was fastened 

 round the hoof, whilst I put my knee to the back of the 

 pastern, using all possible force, with one hand to the foot 

 and the other to the fetlock, but all to no purpose. Next 

 day other means were tried. First by throwing the horse 

 and placing him on his belly, with the fore-legs stretched 

 out forwards, and the hind-legs backwards. This I did so 

 as to get the injured limb placed as nearly flat on the 

 ground as possible, with its anterior aspect downwards. 

 Then a very heavy man, with his boots off, was made to 

 jump on the back of the pastern, where the prominence 

 showed most ; and afterwards, when these means failed, 

 a strong piece of wood, well covered with leather, was 

 placed (where the hollow of the heel ought to have been) 

 on the most prominent part, and hit several times with a 

 heavy hammer ; but all efforts were futile. 



* Prognosis. — Unfavourable. During the latter operations 

 I had a very strong pressure applied to the hoof, and the 

 horse firmly fastened in every way, and it appeared as 



