Symptomatology. Semeiology. 2r 



disease of other parts. Rolling on the back may indicate simple 

 intestinal spasm, but also blocking by intususception, impaction, 

 volvulus or otherwise. Sitting on the haunches may suggest a 

 similar trouble or it may imply ruptured stomach or diaphragm. 

 The dog may sit on his- haunches in health, or with dyspnoea in 

 acute affections of the respiratory organs, asthma and heart 

 affections. Decubitus on the belly with hind legs extended 

 backward, may imply paraplegia, or acute inflammation of the 

 abdominal organs. Ikying with the nose in the flank or turning 

 the head toward the flank, though a normal position of rest, often 

 indicates abdominal suffering. Turning of the head to one side 

 may, however, suggest injury, spasm or rheumatism of the cer- 

 vical muscles, or disease on the corresponding side of the brain. 

 Animals, at liberty, lie more frequently on the side on which the 

 heaviest internal organs are lodged, thus ruminants, pigs, and 

 dogs rest on the right (the side of the liver), though in cattle 

 with a heavily loaded rumen the condition may be reversed. 

 Decubitus on the abdomen, with the limbs extended and abducted 

 implies profound nervous disorder or shock. 



Habitual decubitus often indicates severe suffering in legs or 

 feet. Resting one limb more than another implies injury to that 

 limb. Standing with the pastern of one limb more upright than 

 the others has the same meaning. Extension of one fore foot iu 

 advance of its fellow with flexion of the pastern and fetlock de- 

 notes suffering in the posterior part of the foot or in the flexors. 

 Flexion of carpus and fetlock without advance of the foot prob- 

 ably bespeaks injury to shoulder or elbow. Inability to bear 

 weight on the fore limb, without knuckling at the knee, should 

 call for examination of the olecranon and joints, especially the 

 elbow. Inability to extend the carpus should lead to investiga- 

 tion of the flexor muscles and tendons, the joints and the heel. 

 Movement of the hind limb without flexure of the tarsus would 

 suggest injury to that joint, the stifle or the flexor metatarsi 

 tendon. Inability to extend stifle and hock should demand 

 examination of the tendo- Achilles and os calcis, of the triceps 

 extensor cruris and of its nerves. 



Atrophy of a muscle or group would require scrutiny of its 

 tendons and its nerve and blood supply. 



More precise indications of injury of the locomotor system 

 must be found under surgery. 



