324 
DISEASE OF THE OS FEMORIS. 
withstanding his infirmities, he ran Well in harness, and 
could trot from ten to twelve miles an hour. The symptoms 
occasionally evinced were as follow : If he was suddenly 
turned round, or started off in haste, the affected limb 
appeared for a time to be utterly useless, when he would 
carry the limb and run on three legs for a hundred yards or 
so, his ears would be thrown back, and his countenance 
give evidence of his suffering. When in harness, and if 
going fast, and the w 7 eight of the vehicle pressed upon his 
hind quarters, he would suddenly stop, and if urged to 
go on by means of the whip, he would make an attempt to 
kick or run across the road, and thus relieve himself of the 
pressure of the breeching. The muscles of the affected limb 
were much atrophied, especially those of the gluteal region ; 
the hoof much worn at the toe, in consequence of his 
dragging it on the ground when very lame, and continually 
resting it upon the ground when in a state of quietude 
At times, if he was worked more severely than usual, the 
pain was so great as to affect his appetite. When not 
suffering pain he was a good walker, although he stepped 
short with the affected limb. Having occasion to go to 
Rugeley at Christmas, I was informed that he was then very 
lame indeed, and was requested to see him and give my 
opinion as to the advisability of treating him. Upon entering 
the stable the horse threw up his head, gave a peculiar 
snorting sigh, and trembled from head to feet. The anterior 
portion of the hoof and pastern-joint were resting on 3 being 
in contact with, the flooring of the stable ; there was likewise 
an enlargement at the acetabulum-joint, and great pain 
was evinced on pressure. I endeavoured to reduce it by 
the usual means, and replaced the head of the femur, 
but the least motion of the surrounding muscles caused it 
again to fall from its place, accompanied with a “ snapping” 
kind of noise. The limb then became pendulous; the pulse 
was from 50 to 55 in the minute, and full; the countenance 
had an anxious appearance, indicative of intense suffering ; 
if the animal was moved it was accompanied with a grunting 
noise ; patches of perspiration covered the hind quarters and 
various parts of his body ; once or twice he lay down, and 
could not rise until assisted to do so; his breathing was 
laborious, and accompanied every now and then with a deep, 
heavy sigh ; he voided his faeces and urine freely ; his extre- 
mities were cold. My prognosis being unfavorable, I advised 
that he should be slaughtered, which advice was immediately 
acted upon. 
The history of the case was this : Mr. Marson had been 
