352 THE MANAGEMENT AND DISEASES OF THE DOG. 



the articulatory ligaments, atrophied or weak muscles, previous 

 luxation. 



Exciting Causes. — External violence, as falls, blows, twists, 

 undue force in parturition, muscular action, voluntary effort. 



Symptoms.— D\sp\?iCe.me.nX. and deformity of the part ; 

 undue prominence, or the reverse, where neither should exist; 

 shortening or elongation of the limb, generally the former ; 

 inability to perform the usual natural movements ; a tense 

 condition, if they are not ruptured, of the muscles on the 

 opposite side ; pain on manipulation, with more or less swell- 

 ing; an absence of true crepitus ; an entirety of bone. 



Treatment. — -This consists in applying extension in the 

 direction required for the reduction of the dislocation : in 

 recent cases this will not be difficult. If the shoulder-joint 

 be the seat of accident, reduction is most easily accomplished 

 in the following manner : A strong towel or surcingle is passed 

 underneath the brisket, between the fore-legs, over the 

 withers, round the girth, and across the front of the breast. 

 This is held firmly, whilst an assistant steadily draws the 

 limb in the direction required (Fig. 38). 



In dislocation of the elbow, the humerus should be firmly 

 grasped by one pair of hands, while another uses steady 

 traction on the limb below. 



Dislocation of the knee is extremely rare, and when it does 

 occur, it will be necessary, after reduction, by traction and 

 manipulation, to place a starch bandage round it for a week 

 or ten days. 



Dislocation of the Hip. — This occurs in various forms ; 

 the head of the femur may be displaced upwards, downwards, 

 forwards, or backwards. Reduction is performed by powerful 

 traction above the hock, in the direction indicated by the 

 dislocation. At the time of traction, the limb should be 

 drawn outwardly from the upper part of the thigh, for the 

 purpose of lifting the head of the femur over the rim of 

 the acetabulum. Rotation will sometimes aid the operation. 



Dislocation of the stifle or patella is rarely met with in 



