30G FEACTURES. 



ing of the broken ends of bone rubbing against each other may be 

 perceived 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 rnarked 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 pelvis, 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 the risk of laminitis (pp. 185 and 189) must 

 be accepted. 



POINT OF THE HIP {Dropped hip). — 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 in- 

 frequently occurs on account of the animal hitting himself 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, 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 inspira- 

 tion and expiration of air. Hence, fibrous union or a false joint 

 (p. 295) is the usual method of repair. I have, however, seen 

 dissections of oases in which the detached portion of bone over- 

 lapped 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 becoming 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, materially 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. 



TUBEROSITY OF THE ISCHIUM.— This portion of the pelvis 

 is the rearmost bony projection (Fig. 115) of the hiud quarters, 

 and may be called the point of the buttock. The two tuberosities, 



