FRACTURE OF THE PELVIS. 
477 
under the belly in the region of the udder or scrotum, but its absence 
does not exclude the possibility of such fracture. Fractures of the 
os pubis are often followed by swelling about the vagina ; fragments of 
bone from the pubis and ischium may penetrate the vagina and produce 
bleeding from the vulva. After fractures of the tuber ischii, swelling 
may also occur in the neighbouring thigh muscles. On the other hand, 
in fractures of the ilium, swelling is seldom externally visible, but can be 
discovered by rectal examination. 
(6) Unusual mobility of the thigh. All fractures which divide the 
pelvic girdle behind the cotyloid cavity, as well as fractures into the 
acetabulum, with rupture of the ligamentum teres, are characterised by 
abnormal freedom in abduction, sometimes also in adduction, of the 
thigh of the affected side. 
(7) Examination per anum or per vaginam affords further information 
in fractures of the ilium and pubis, particularly when the shafts are 
broken. Local swelling can be detected ; and if the animal’s quarters 
be moved to and fro, a hand inserted in the rectum easily follows the 
movements of the fractured pieces of bone. 
(8) In fractures of the pelvis, as in other fractures, fever may occur, 
or symptoms of bleeding follow injury to large blood-vessels. This 
danger is perhaps greatest in fracture through the obturator foramen. 
The following are the distinctive symptoms of the most commonly- 
occurring fractures of the pelvis:— 
(1) Fractures of the external angle of the ilium (fig. 182—/), deformity, 
adduction of the stifle, swinging leg lameness, absence of crepitation, 
sometimes swelling and pain on pressure. 
(2) Fracture of the shaft of the ilium (3). Depressed position of 
the affected quarter. Swinging leg lameness, crepitation when standing- 
on the foot of the affected side. Examination per anum gives more 
information. This fracture is seen in cows during parturition or 
after falls. 
(3) Fracture through the acetabulum (5). Severe swinging leg and 
supporting leg lameness, often accompanied by painful groaning. 
Crepitation without moving or placing weight on the limb, deformity 
slight, sometimes sinking of the hip region and abnormal mobility in 
the hip-joint. 
(4) Fracture through the obturator foramen (4 and 4a). Supporting- 
lameness, crepitation, no deformity, sometimes anaemia. 
(5) Fracture of the os pubis (4). Supporting leg lameness, with a 
tendency to adduction of the limb, pain on forced abduction, produced 
by moving backwards or sidewards. Crepitation sometimes absent, 
sometimes slight, sometimes distinct. Swelling below the abdomen may 
be wanting. Examination per anum gives further information. 
