no THE SURGICAL ANATOMY OF THE HORSE 



causing one to suspect the flexor metatarsi muscle was partially- 

 ruptured, although there was no sign of pain, heat, or swelling on the 

 anterior aspect of the thigh. After three weeks' rest it was noticed 

 the muscles of the stifle began to atrophy, which was put down 

 to the inaction of the limb, and as there was no improvement of 

 the lameness an order was given to have the animal destroyed and a 

 post-mortem examination made, which revealed a large deposit of bone 

 on the condyles of the femur, completely obliterating the groove from 

 which the tendon of the flexor metatarsi and extensor pedis arises." 



Hunting and Porch recently (Vete^'inary Record, November 2, 1907), 

 described two cases of a peculiar disease of the stifle confined to the 

 femoro-patellar articulation: 



" Both animals were omnibus horses, and both were incapacitated for 

 work a long time before being slaughtered. 



"The first was a seven-year-old bay mare that showed symptoms of 

 lameness about six months before she was slaughtered. She was rested 

 and blistered, and resumed work, but fell lame again in a time. The 

 same treatment was again tried but the lameness increased, and finally 

 became so intense that recovery was despaired of. 



" At the commencement of lameness the symptoms were not well 

 marked — little more than stiifness of the hind limbs. Later the 

 extensor muscles of the thigh showed excessive rigidity when the 

 animal was moved. When made to walk the hind legs were carried 

 forward stiff and straight as though jointless, and the muscles in front of 

 the femur were spasmodically contracted. Both hind legs were afiFected, 

 but the near hind leg showed rather more aggravated symptoms. 



" The post-mortem examination disclosed no lesions save in the 

 stifle-joint. The femoro-tibial articulation was normal, neither the 

 interarticular cartilage nor the surface of the bones presenting any 

 disease. There was no excess of synovia. 



" On the trochlea of the femur the cartilage, covering the inner lip, 

 was thin and roughened, it was not ulcerated and it retained its translucent 



