480 
LUXATION OF THE SACRO ILIAC ARTICULATION. 
generally incurable, the danger being that, although only one side may 
be at first affected, the body-weight is apt to break down the union 
between the sacrum and the ilium on the other side, or that the inner 
angle of the ilium may become fractured; the animals are then unable 
to stand, and always die from decubitus. Complete fracture in or near 
the ilio-pubic symphysis in horses also appears to be incurable. 
Treatment. If treatment is attempted, complete rest is a primary 
necessity. In fractures of the external angle of the ilium, it is sufficient 
to keep the animal from work for a time ; if unable to stand on the foot 
of the affected side, the patient should be slung. This precaution is very 
necessary, because of the grave risk of further fractures or displacement 
of the broken pieces occurring when the horse lies down. In fracture 
through the obturator foramen, special care is required to prevent fatal 
bleeding. 
In four to six weeks the patients may be moved cautiously, but if 
unable to bear weight on the foot, should be returned to slings. Stiff¬ 
ness in movement is less important, because it depends to some extent 
on the long rest, and gradually disappears with exercise. Provided pain 
is not excessive, the muscles of the quarter and thigh may be massaged 
to prevent that rapid atrophy which follows severe lameness. Daily 
kneading of the parts will promote nutrition of the muscles. Atrophy, 
being only due to inactivity, disappears with return to regular work. 
Cold poultices are superfluous, indeed injurious; they soften the skin, 
and so favour its being rubbed by the lining of the slings (which irritates 
the patient), and have no effect in relieving pain. An adhesive plaster 
or a charge is often beneficial. 
¥.—DIASTASIS OR LUXATION OF THE SACRO ILIAC 
ARTICULATION. 
The union between the sacrum and ilium is formed by a stiff, almost 
immobile, joint, the short capsular ligament of which extends from the upper 
surface of the wing of the sacrum to the under surface of the ilium. The 
inferior sacro-iliac ligament, assisted by the upper and lateral sacro-iliac 
ligaments, contributes to this union. 
In horses, this ligamentous apparatus unites the bones so firmly that 
they are very seldom dislocated, it being easier to break the ilium. In 
cattle the union is less firm, the upper sacro-iliac ligament being some¬ 
times absent. For this reason these animals occasionally suffer incom¬ 
plete or complete disunion of the sacrum from the ilium, especially 
during parturition. Stockfleth and Berdez have thoroughly studied the 
condition, and their description is here followed. Berdez, considering 
the mode of origin of this dislocation, lays particular stress on the atony 
of the abdominal muscles which occurs at the time of parturition. Of 
