HERNIAS—LUXATIONS. 267 
hernia compressible bandages to hold the organ in place are advisable 
until the cicatrization of the aponeurotic wound is complete. Strangula- 
tion demands the incision of the skin on the surface of the tumor and 
the exeresis of the protruding muscular part, with the closing of the 
borders of the aponeurosis and the suture of the skin. 
With the exception of the displacement of the external ischio-tibial 
muscle, muscular luxations are very rare in veterinary medicine. Yet 
one can conceive that in peculiar circumstances long muscles might slip 
off the bony groove in which they slide and pass in front or behind it. 
The treatment would then be reduction, some restraining apparatus and 
rest. 
We may mention here the case of luxation of the brachial biceps ob- 
served by Dominik in a horse that had run away.’ It was manifested 
by very marked flexion of the arm upon the shoulder, very large tumefac- 
tion of the point of the shoulder, slight pain on exploration and drag- 
ging of the leg in walking. The animal was destroyed after three months. 
LUXATION OF THE LONG VASTUS. 
In cattle this muscle, which goes from the sacral spine to the superior 
extremity of the leg, glides over the trochanter by means of a large serous 
bursa. Its anterior border is intimately united to the aponeurosis of the 
fascia lata, which separates into two layers to embrace it. In thin ani- 
mals with projecting trochanter, under the influence of violent pulling 
efforts or by slippings in which the hind legs are powerfully carried back- 
wards in the act of extension, the aponeurosis of the fascia lata may 
divide at the anterior border of the muscle; the trochanter enters the 
solution of continuity, it is Aooked in, so to speak, the muscle is immobi- 
lized and the flexion of the femur is impossible (Fig. 62). 
The diagnosis is easy: the leg carried backwards and outwards drags 
by its toe. It is not necessary that there should be division or rupture 
of the aponeurosis to produce lameness; in very lean animals the muscle 
may be hooked back of the trochanter instead of passing over it well spread 
(Cruzel). 
With good feeding and rest this difficulty may subside. Fat accumu- 
lating between the layers of muscles and infiltrating them makes the 
long vastus resume its place. Irritating frictions and blisters may be 
used also with advantage in this first stage of the disease. 
But the action of these means is slow and uncertain. Generally prac- 
titioners prefer to operate—the only efficient treatment when there is 
* Dominik ; Mittheil, aus der thierdrzthl, Praxis, (Gerlach und Leisering), 
1856, p. 96, 
