680 
DISPLACEMENT OE THE BICEPS EE MORIS MUSCLE. 
Treatment. The solution or removal of the thrombus is impracticable, 
and internal remedies, like the alkaline carbonates which were formerly 
recommended, are of no value. Massage is dangerous. Though the 
thrombus may be loosened by manipulating the vessel through the 
rectum, further coagulation readily occurs, and a case thus treated 
died next night in consequence, the post-mortem showing complete 
thrombosis of the posterior aorta with fresh clots. The only treatment 
of value consists in exciting collateral circulation by regular work. The 
animal is exercised until the first symptoms of lameness appear, and then 
rested, or it may be put to continued light work. The increased blood 
circulation thus excited favours development of collateral circulation, but 
too much is not to be expected from this treatment. 
YIIL—DISPLACEMENT OF THE BICEPS FEMORIS 
MUSCLE. 
As a consequence of the differences in their respective anatomical 
formation, luxation of the biceps femoris is comparatively common in 
oxen, but very rare in horses. In oxen, the abductor of the hind limb 
consists of two heads, and possesses, on the spot where it passes over the 
trochanters, a large mucous bursa; at this point it is only loosely 
connected with the underlying muscles. When, therefore, the fascia 
surrounding it is accidentally ruptured, the upper head of the muscle 
glides off the tiochanter, is caught behind it, and lameness is at once 
developed. This condition is very seldom seen in horses, though cases 
are reported. 
Causes. I he disease is almost entirely confined to mountain cattle, 
w ith sloping quai tei s and prominent trochanters j it is especially common 
in thin animals, cow-hocks are also said to predispose to its produc¬ 
tion. It is moie immediately due to slipping, especially in a backward 
direction, as happens during work, and in coitus. 
Symptoms. The lameness is usually confined to one leg. Imme¬ 
diately the muscle named becomes fixed behind the trochanter, flexion 
and extension of the limb are greatly interfered with. The limb is fixed 
m an extended position similar to that in upward luxation of the patella, 
01 is thiust outwards and forwards with a kind of “ mowing ” movement, 
the claws scraping the ground. Winkler denies having seen the mowing 
movement in the twenty cases which came under his notice, but draws 
attention to the similarity between this lameness and luxation of the 
patella, from which it is only distinguished by the fact that the limb is 
not so firmly fixed when in the extended position. Sometimes the dis¬ 
location is only momentary, the muscle immediately returning to its 
noimal position, so that the animal goes sound for a few steps, but soon 
