474 
FRACTURE OF THE PELVIS. 
are less grave than the following group, though they may, nevertheless, 
cause incurable lameness—as, for example, when they involve the aceta¬ 
bular margin of the hip-joint. Jess mentions a case where a horse fell 
several times and then suddenly died. On post-mortem examination the 
tuberosities of the ischium were found to be broken, the posterior portions 
of the bodies of the pubic bones and the shaft of the ilium fractured. 
Death had resulted from haemorrhage. 
(2) Fractures of the pelvis with division in the pelvic girdle. These 
include fractures of the shaft of the ilium (8), through the cotyloid 
cavity (5), through the obturator foramen, i.e., simultaneous fracture of 
the oblique branch of the os pubis and of the external branch of the 
ischium (4 and 4a), and finally, fractures through the os pubis and os 
ischii, parallel to the symphysis pubis (7). Multiple or comminuted 
fractures of the pelvic bones sometimes occur. Fracture of the ilium 
complicated with fracture through the obturator foramen is often seen; 
and one reported case showed simultaneously double-sided fracture of 
the inner angle of the ilium and fracture of the femur. It must not 
be forgotten that such multiple fractures do not always occur together, 
but may only be developed by moving the animal. Immediately the 
pelvic girdle is divided, there is danger of further fractures occurring 
from the entire weight being thrown on the diseased side ; this is 
commonest after injury to the inner angle of the ilium. Huth saw one 
case, post-mortem, with four completely united fractures. 
Symptoms. Diagnosis of fractured pelvis is easy when crepitation 
exists. Otherwise careful search is required, including examination by 
the rectum or vagina. The most important symptoms are :— 
(1) Lameness. This sets in suddenly, is seldom absent in recent pelvic 
fracture, but varies greatly in character. In fractures in front of the 
cotyloid cavity, particularly in fracture of the external angle of the ilium, 
there is marked interference with movement of the swinging limb, 1 and 
the forward stride is shortened. This is ascribable to the fact that one 
of the muscles extending the thigh is attached to the external angle of 
the ilium. Similar lameness is noticed in fracture of the tuber ischii. 
In either case equal weight is placed on each foot. Fractures behind 
the cotyloid cavity with division of the pelvic girdle produce marked 
lameness when weight is placed on the leg (supporting leg lameness) ; 
those into the cotyloid cavity produce lameness, both when the leg is 
swinging and when weight is placed on it (mixed supporting and 
1 I have, somewhat reluctantly, introduced two new terms into English veterinary 
phraseology. German veterinary surgeons employ two very convenient words, which have no 
equivalent in English, to differentiate lameness most marked when weight is thrown on the 
limb, and lameness most marked when the limb is carried. The former term is in German 
Stiitzbeinlahmheit (literally, “supporting leg lameness ”), the latter Hangbeinlahmheit (literally 
“ hanging or swinging leg lameness ”). [Jno. A. W. D. ] 
