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thebip bone by having its situation in tbe articular cavity — tlie acetabu- 

 lum by which it joins the femur or thigh bone. 



Some of these fractures are easily rccoguizetl, while others are diffi- 

 cult to identify. The ordinary deformity which characterizes a fracture 

 of the external angle of the ilium, its dropping and the diminution of 

 that side of the hip in width, unite in indicating the existence of the 

 condition expressed by the term '■ hipped." But an incomplete fracture, 

 or one that is complete without displacement, or even one with dis- 

 lilacement, often demands the closest scrutiny for its disoovery. The 

 lameness may be well marked, and an animal may show but little ap- 

 pearance of it while walking, but upon being urged into a trot will 

 manifest it more and mere, until presently he will cease to use the 

 crippled limb altogether, and perform his traveling entirely on three legs. 

 The acute character of the lameness will vary iu degree as the seat 

 of the lesiou approximates the acetabulum. In walking, the motion at 

 the hip is verj^ limited, and the leg is dragged, while at rest it is re- 

 lieved from bearing its share in sustaining the body. An intelligent 

 opinion and correct conclusion will depend largely upon a knowledge 

 of the history of the case, and while in some instances that will be but 

 a report of the common etiology of fractures, such as blows, hurts, and 

 other external violence, the simple fact of a fall may furnish iu a single 

 word a satisfactory solution of the whole matter. 



"With the exception of the deformity of the ilium in a fracture of it3 

 external angle, and unless there have been a serious laceration of tis- 

 sues and infiltration of blood, or excessive displacement, there are no 

 very definite external symptoms in a case of a fracture of the hip bone. 

 There is one, however, which, in a majority of cases, will not fail — it is 

 crepitation. This evidence is attainable by both external and internal 

 examination — by manipulation of the gluteal surface and by rectal 

 taxis. Very often a lateral motion, or balancing of the hinder i)arts by 

 pressing the body from one side to the other, will be sufiQcient to ren- 

 der the crepitation more distinct — a slight sensation of grating, which 

 may be i^erceived even through the thick coating of muscle which 

 covers the bone— and the sensation may not only be felt, but to the ear 

 of the expert may even become audible. This external manifestation 

 is, however, not always sufficient in itself, and should always be asso- 

 ciated with the rectal taxis for corroboration. It is true that this may 

 fail to add to the evidence of fracture, but till then the simjjle testimony 

 aifbrded by the detection of crepitation from the surface, though a 

 strong confirmatory point, is scarcely sufficiently absolute to establish 

 more than a reasonable probability or strong suspicion in the case. 



In addition to the fiict that the rectal examination brings the explor- 

 ing hand of the surgeon into near proximity to the desired point of 

 search, and to an accurate knowledge of thesituatiou of parts, both ^ro 

 and con as respects his own views, there is another advantage attend- 

 ant upon it which is well entitled to appreciation. ThiG is the facility 



