260 
HIP-JOINT LAMENESS. 
always pointed or twisted outwards, the limb presenting very 
much the appearance of the cut in the October number of 
the Veterinarian, p. 562. In the second place, the action is 
very peculiar. In the walk or trot the quarter of the affected 
limb sinks or drops at every step ; the horse goes lightly on 
the toe, and is incapable of getting the leg forward, and when 
forced to trot, he frequently carries the limb, and goes on 
three legs from excessive pain. So that the most prominent 
symptoms are great pain, the pendulous appearance of the limb, 
the turning outwards of the stifle joint when standing, and 
the depression of the quarter in action, all of which continue 
more or less during the progress of the lameness. There is 
in general little or no swelling, and nothing particular to be 
perceived in the appearance of the affected limb. In process 
of time the muscles waste, and the whole quarter becomes 
much attenuated. With respect to treatment, bleeding, 
physic, and counter-irritation are indicated. In chronic 
cases, a seton introduced along the course of the femur, five 
or six inches in length, and kept in from three to six weeks, 
produces the best effects. A rowel inserted immediately 
opposite the hip-joint, just under the trochanter major, proves 
very successful in more recent cases ; and when the lameness 
is acute, a patten-shoe -applied on the foot of the lame leg 
is a great auxiliary to the restoration of soundness. 
In illustration of the above the following cases are ad- 
duced : 
] . A bay gelding, aged, sixteen hands high, and worked in 
harness, had been lame for upwards of six months, showing 
symptoms of hip-joint lameness in the near hind leg. The 
lameness was most acute, and he could not trot. He was 
treated with the seton and patten-shoe, and became sound 
in two months, and has performed his regular work ever 
since. 
2. A grey gelding, aged, and used in harness. He had 
been lame a long time, w 7 as treated with the seton, and 
recovered in six weeks, and has since stood regular work. 
3. A bay mare, accustomed to harness ; was treated by 
inserting a rowel opposite the hip-joint. She soon became 
sound, but the lameness returned in consequence of putting 
her to work again too soon. This was a recent case. These, 
and many other cases that might be recorded by me, are 
proofs of the efficacy of the seton in the treatment of deep- 
seated lamenesses. 
