566 DISLOCATION OF THE FEMUR. 
seen in the stifle joint, and induces stiffness if not absolute 
lameness. 
Laceration of the capsular ligament, and injury to the 
brim of the acetabulum leads to the formation of bony 
spicula that interfere with the motion of the joint. It is 
important to remember that when once the round ligament is 
completely severed, nothing will cause it to reunite; it 
gradually becomes atrophied and disappears. 
Gentlemen, I must now solicit your attention to a few 
historical observations. For the scarcity of records relating 
to this important class of injuries, I account by the fact, 
that the lesions are generally, but often without sufficient 
reason considered too extensive, or that methods of treatment 
are looked upon as excessively tardy in effecting a restora- 
tion of parts ; so that it is esteemed best to put the animal 
out of its misery, and then no more is heard of the case. 
But it should be borne in mind by you, that it is your duty 
to form as accurate a diagnosis as possible before thus con- 
demning a patient, and that any important facts which may 
afterwards be revealed on dissection should be investigated, 
with a view to determine for future guidance, whether there 
had existed any possibility of cure. Since Vegetius wrote, in 
the fifth century, his chapter on “Misera Coxa,” for his 
Artis Veterinaire , scanty are the observations that have been 
contributed to the history of dislocations of the femur. One 
instance is recorded by Schreider.* The parts were ex- 
amined seven weeks after the accident. The cartilage of 
incrustation was quite removed from the head of the femur 
and acetabulum ; the round ligament was torn, and the 
cotyloid cavity already tolerably levelled down ; bony 
spiculae had also formed in several parts. Gohier, of Lyons, 
was the next veterinarian to draw special attention to rupture 
of the coxo-femoral ligament ; but the case that has of all 
others thrown more light on the subject, was published in 
the Recueil de Medecine Veterinaire for 1829. It was recorded 
by MM. Saussol and Rausou, Veterinary Surgeons to the 
18th Regiment of Chasseurs, and the injury occurred to a 
troop-horse that fell with another over him. On rising 
again, he was observed to stand on three legs, the fourth 
having been seriously hurt. The left femur was luxated, and 
the head had been drawn downwards and inwards, so that 
the limb w r as turn outwards, was about an inch longer than 
its fellow, and the foot could only touch the ground on the 
inner quarter. Reduction w^as attempted ; and at first, efforts 
were made to draw the head of the femur outwards by one 
* Busch’s ‘ Zeitschrift/ third series, vol. iii, p. 31. 
