Symptomatology. Semeiology. 21 



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 af- 

 fections. Decubitus on the belly with hind legs extended back- 

 ward, may imply paraplegia, or acute inflammation of the abdom- 

 inal organs. Ivying with the nose in the flank or turning the 

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

 dicates 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. Decub- 

 itus on the abdomen, with the limbs extended and abducted im- 

 plies 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 in 

 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 wijthout 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 ex- 

 amination of the tendo-Achillus and olecranon, of the triceps ex- 

 tensor 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. 



