PARALYSIS OF THE HIND LIMB. 
6G9 
moving his hind limbs, suggesting partial paralysis, but it soon became 
evident that only the right hind limb was affected. Whilst the left 
hind limb was moved and weight was placed on it in the usual 
way, the left leg was carried close to the middle line of the body 
(adducted) and was placed too far in advance and too near the right side, 
causing the animal to fall towards the right side ; the body was only 
saved from coming to the ground by a rapid spring with the left foot. 
At the same time the stifle and hock joints were excessively extended, 
and the phalanges flexed (plantar flexion). The gait was clumsy and 
Fig. 253.—Paralysis of the external popliteal nerve. 
insecure in the highest degree. These movements recurred at every 
step ; the animal was incapable of trotting. The uncertainty of walking 
was aggravated by the abnormal flexion of the phalanges, which at times 
caused the animal to walk on the front of the fetlock-joint itself. 
By passing a rope round the right fetlock, and so drawing the limb 
outwards and extending the fetlock each time the animal attempted to 
move, walking became perfectly easy. Immediately such assistance was 
withdrawn, however, all the previous difficulties returned. At first no 
anatomical change in the limb could be noted, nor was there any sign 
of local pain or inflammation, but by placing the hand on the limb 
during movement, the muscles in front of the tibia, as well as the 
