538 FRACTURE OF THE OSSA INNOMINATA, &c. 
the contusions about the fore extremities doing well. On press- 
ing the superior part of the tumour, I distinctly felt a portion of 
detached bone ; I immediately proceeded to lay open the tumour 
by a free incision of the scalpel. At the moment the integuments 
were divided, the blood gushed out in a most alarming stream, 
accompanied by large pieces of coagulated blood and several of 
decomposed muscle. I then introduced my hand into the open- 
ing, and took away several portions of the biceps, adductor, and 
tibialis muscles. The short head of the biceps (which takes its 
origin from the tuberosity of the ischium) was nearly torn from 
its attachment. I felt the piece of bone, and removed it ; it was 
about the size of a common molar tooth, and, as I thought, a por- 
tion of the tuberosity of the ischium*. I then injected a solution 
of the chloride of lime, and afterwards dressed with turpentine 
liniment ; the dressing to be kept in for three days, and during 
that time the fomentations to be continued ; a bolus composed of 
three drachms of Barbadoes aloes to be given, in order to keep up 
the peristaltic motion of the intestines, and the mare to be kept 
as quiet as possible. 
June 1st. — Pulse 40; feeding well, and bowels freely acted 
upon. Removed the dressing, when a great quantity of pus mixed 
with blood and muscle came away : after the wound was com- 
pletely cleansed, its appearance was quite healthy. I ordered it 
to be dressed every day with the same application, diet as be- 
fore, and said that in the course of a week I would see her 
again. 
June 8th. — All going on well ; the healing of the wound 
making wonderful progress. Continue the dressing as before. 
Diet as usual. Be particular in keeping her in a state of abso- 
lute rest. 
14th. — The mare doing well ; can walk round her box ; the 
wound healing fast and sound. I particularly observe a great 
absorption of the gluteal and biceps and triceps adductor mus- 
cles, and the muscles of the quarter generally, which I suppose 
* Fractures of the tuberosity of the ischium in the horse are far from 
being uncommon. Two have occurred to the writer of this note, and both 
the animals were perfectly useful afterwards. Two or three instances are on 
record in which they have happened not from the concussion attendant on a 
fall, but from simple muscular exertion. There is one of this kind at pre- 
sent in the museum of the Veterinary School at Copenhagen. The museum 
of that excellent veterinarian Mr. John Percivall contained a fine specimen of 
transverse fracture of the pelvis. M. Crepin ( Journal de Med. V dt. 1832, p. 
497) describes a casein which the os innominatum on one side was broken into 
six distinct pieces ; and some of the muscles — the obturators, the pectineus, 
and the adductor brevis — were, to a great degree, converted into that clotty 
fibrinous substance, of a polypous character, which is often found in the larger 
bloodvessels. — Y. 
