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NEURALGIA OF THE FEMORO-POPL1TEAL NERVE 
(DISLOCATION OF THE PATELLA?) IN THE 
HORSE. 
By M. Dubuisson, Chateau Thierry. 
Notwithstanding the rapid progress which veteriuary me- 
dicine has lately made, it is far behind that which appertains to 
man. The observations which have yet been recorded respecting 
the diseases of our domestic animals are too few in number to 
enable us to state with certainty their resemblance to, or differ- 
ence from, kindred affections in the human subject. This is 
especially true with regard to the neuroses in general, and the 
neuralgise in particular ; a class of maladies as yet imperfectly 
known in human medicine, and the existence of which is pro- 
blematical in the quadruped. 
I am not able to throw much light on the neuralgiae, which 
certainly rarely attack the quadruped, and never endanger his 
life : such a task is undoubtedly beset with difficulties, and can 
only be undertaken after long experience and careful observa- 
tion ; but I will relate two cases in which I think that I have 
seen it in the horse. 
CASE I. 
An entire draught-horse, five years old. A sudden cold suc- 
ceeded to a great deal of rain. The disease appeared in both 
hind limbs at the same time, and was accompanied by the fol- 
lowing symptoms The animal remained standing — the two 
fore legs were wider apart from each other than in the natural 
way of standing ; while the hind limbs, placed far more backward 
than usual, could not be in the least degree moved forward. 
This fixedness of position did not last long. It was frequently 
interrupted by great agitation of the whole body, and by con- 
vulsive contractions, more or less prolonged, of the femoral 
muscles. One symptom was contraction of the digital portion 
of the leg to such a degree, that the weight was supported by 
the anterior portion of the fetlock. In this last position of the 
hind legs the hocks were stiffened, and the body was carried so 
far forward, that it seemed almost incredible that there should 
not be a luxation of the articulations : and such was the peculiar 
appearance of the horse, that he seemed as if he were pinned to 
the ground by these two hind limbs. This extraordinary po- 
sition, however, was continually changing, and then he found 
great difficulty in regaining his natural position, and seemed to 
suffer extreme pain, his hind limbs being in one continual con- 
