LIVERPOOL VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 
977 
per rectum, a practice I almost invariably adopt before treating any 
case of hip or pelvic lameness, so as to make sure that there is no 
fracture ; and I am thoroughly convinced, from extensive observation 
and practice, that in all injuries and fractures of that bone it is the 
surest and safest mode of detection. In this case I had not the 
slightest difficulty in detecting a fracture of the right innominate 
bone at the anterior parts of symphisis pubis, also of the ischium 
near the acetabulum. 
Treatment . — Had the horse tied short by the head, so as to 
prevent its lying down ; a high-heeled shoe put on the foot of injured 
side, gave a mild dose of physic, and applied a powerful canthara- 
dine blister on the skin, covering the injury. Food to be nutritious, 
but soft. A month has elapsed without any further treatment. I 
had the horse walked out a few days ago, and found it much im- 
proved, and on examining the pelvis per rectum found marked 
indications that nature was doing her work well in repairing the 
injury. I generally find in such cases that nature takes from ten 
to fourteen weeks to repair the breach, and render the horse fit for 
work. Slings I never use, preferring for the first month to keep the 
horse standing and as quiet as possible, leaving the rest to nature. 
After that time I allow the horse to lie down at pleasure, and find 
no ill effects from doing so. Should it get down during the first 
fortnight there is great danger of the bones becoming displaced ; 
but I very seldom have any difficulty in keeping them standing the 
required time. However, I am treating such a case just now ; it was 
a fracture of the neck of the ilium, near the acetabulum. After a week 
or ten days the horse got down, and in getting up a rather serious 
displacement took place, the neck of the ilium gliding inwardly, 
the antero-inferior spinous process and body of bone being pulled 
downwards by the action of the iliacus and other muscles attached 
to it, giving the horse a very one-sided and deformed appearance. 
The animal being a valuable one, and as I was satisfied that the 
acetabulum was in no way interfered with, and the deformity 
being no objection in an omnibus horse, I decided to continue 
treatment, knowing well that in time the muscles would adapt 
themselves to their altered circumstances. The horse is now 
quite sound, and nearly ready to resume work, three months having 
elapsed. 
On the 19th of last month I was sent for to examine an aged 
brown mare (1942 F.) that had been brought in from work lame. 
Symptoms : — She was standing in the stable without any appear- 
ance of injury, was feeding, and standing on both hind legs, the 
greatest weight being placed on what proved to be the sound one. 
In walking gently out of stable and in the yard, the lame leg was 
carried well forward more than is natural, and appearing as if in- 
voluntarily or spasmodically done, the toe and leg being thrown out- 
wards. Finding the foot all right I carefully manipulated the pelvis, 
when a distinct crepitation could be heard. I then examined the 
pelvis per rectum, to ascertain its precise locality, which I found to 
be a rather serious fracture of the ischium with displacement, near 
