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claws are lost, and synovitis and arthritis are added to the
complications already existing.
In an infected locality the development is always the same. The
animals lose flesh, become anæmic, and, unless vigorously treated,
soon die. The ordinary duration of the disease is from five to eight
months, sometimes more. If, however, patients are isolated and well
treated they recover.
Causation. The specific cause of foot rot still remains to be
discovered, although everything points to the conclusion that it
consists in an organism capable of cultivation in manure, litter, etc.,
for foot rot is transmissible by cohabitation, by mediate contagion
through infected pasture, by direct contact and by inoculation.
The chief favouring influences are bad drainage, filthy condition of
the folds, and herding in marshy localities.
Diagnosis. The condition can scarcely be mistaken, for the sheep
suffers from no other disease resembling it, excepting, perhaps, foot-
and-mouth disease.
Prognosis. The prognosis is grave, for the disease usually
assumes a chronic course, affects entire flocks, and the patients
require individual attention.
Treatment. The primary essential to success in treatment
consists in separating and isolating the diseased animals in a
scrupulously clean place and providing a very dry bed.
In the early stages the disease may be checked by astringent and
antiseptic foot baths. It is then sufficient to construct a foot-bath at
the entrance to the fold, containing either milk of lime, 4 per cent.
sulphate of iron, copper sulphate, creolin, etc. Through this the
sheep are passed two or three times a week. These precautions rarely
suffice when the feet are already extensively diseased; and when the
horn is separated to any considerable extent, surgical treatment is
indispensable. All loose portions of horn should be removed and
antiseptic applications made to the parts.
When a large number of sheep are affected the treatment is very
prolonged, but it is absolutely indispensable, and the numerous
dressings required necessarily complicate the treatment. It would be
valuable to experiment with small leggings, which would retain the
dressings in position, and, at the same time, shelter the claws from
the action of the litter, while favouring the prolonged action of the
antiseptic.
When the lesions are not extensive, a daily dressing is sufficient.
Among the materials most strongly recommended are antiseptic
and astringent ointments containing carbolic acid, iodoform, or
camphor. Vaseline with 5 per cent. of iodine is very serviceable, and
much to be preferred to applications like copper sulphate, iron
sulphate, etc. Its greatest drawback is its expense.
 CHAPTER III.
DISEASES OF THE SYNOVIAL MEMBRANES AND OF THE ARTICULATIONS.

I.—SYNOVIAL MEMBRANES AND ARTICULATIONS.

SYNOVITIS.

Inflammation of the synovial membranes, or synovitis, may affect

the synovial sacs either of the joints or of the tendon sheaths. It may
be acute or chronic and occur either idiopathically or follow the
infliction of an injury. Its two chief forms are simple, or “closed,”
synovitis and suppurative, or “open,” synovitis, the essential
distinction between which is that in the latter microorganisms are
present, whilst in simple synovitis they are absent. In all cases the
disease is characterised by distension of the sac affected.
Synovitis produced by a wound communicating with the outer air
may be complicated by suppuration, and if the synovial membrane of
a joint be involved the primary synovitis is almost always followed by
traumatic arthritis.
The commonest forms of chronic simple synovitis are:—

INFLAMMATION OF THE PATELLAR SYNOVIAL CAPSULE.

Inflammation of the synovial membrane of the femoro-patellar

joint is most commonly seen in working oxen as a consequence of
strains during draught. It is also found in young animals which have
injured the synovial capsule through falls, slips, or over-extension of
the limb.
Symptoms. Development is slow and progressive, and injury may
not be discovered until the lameness which follows has become fairly
marked. This lesion is characterised by swelling in the region of the
stifle. On palpation, fluctuation may readily be noted both on the
outer and inner surfaces of the joint. The exudate is sometimes so
abundant and distension so great that the straight ligaments, the
neighbouring bony prominences, and the ends of the tendons are
buried in the liquid swelling.
Lameness, which is at first marked, often diminishes with exercise.
The length of the step is lessened.
Diagnosis. The diagnosis presents no difficulty, but the lesions
must be distinguished from those due to tuberculosis in this region,
rheumatic arthritis, and the specific arthritis seen in milch cows.
The prognosis is grave, for the disease renders animals useless
for work.
Treatment. Rest, cold moist applications, and massage constitute
the best treatment in the early stages. Should swelling persist, one
may afterwards apply a smart blister or even tap the joint aseptically,
drawing off the fluid and then applying the actual cautery. Irritant
injections must be avoided.

DISTENSION OF THE SYNOVIAL CAPSULE OF THE HOCK JOINT.

Bog Spavin in the Ox.

Bog spavin is frequent in working oxen and in oxen from three to
five years old. It is due to strain in draught or to strain produced in
rearing up at the moment of covering. Old bulls, heavy of body, and
stiff in their limbs are predisposed to it.
Symptoms. The symptoms usually develop gradually and without
lameness, but sometimes declare themselves more rapidly with
lameness, accompanied by marked sensitiveness on palpation. At
first the hock shows a generalised doughy swelling, soon followed by
dilatation of the articular synovial sac. Somewhat later four different
swellings appear—two in front, separated by the tendons of the
common extensor and flexor metatarsi, and two at the back,
extending inside and outside to the flexure of the hock.
Diagnosis. The only precaution required in diagnosis is to avoid
confusion with articular rheumatism.
Prognosis. The prognosis is rather grave in the case of working
oxen, and even of bulls; often slaughter is preferable to treatment.
Treatment differs in no respect from that of distension of the
stifle joint. In young bulls aseptic puncture and drainage of the joint,
followed by the application of the actual cautery, probably give the
best results.

DISTENSION OF TENDON SHEATHS IN THE HOCK REGION.

Like the preceding, this condition is rarely seen except in bulls and
working oxen. It is characterised by dilatation of the upper portion of
the tarsal sheath, one swelling appearing on the outer side, the other
on the inner.
The differential diagnosis is based on the position of these
synovial sacs, which are quite close to the insertion of the tendo-
Achillis, and on the absence of any swelling in front of the joint.
Treatment is identical with that indicated in the last condition.
Massage and cold water applications should be employed at first,
to be followed by aseptic puncture and withdrawal of fluid,
supplemented if necessary by firing in points.

DISTENSION OF THE SYNOVIAL CAPSULE OF THE KNEE JOINT.

This is one of the rarest conditions now under consideration,

because the synovial membranes of the knee joint are everywhere
strongly supported by very powerful ligaments. The synovial
capsules of the carpo-metacarpal and inter-carpal joints are
incapable of forming sacs of any size. On the other hand, the radio-
carpal may become moderately prominent in front, especially
towards the outside above the superior carpal ligament. When
weight is placed on the limb, the excess of synovia is expelled from
the joint cavity towards this little sac, which then becomes greatly
distended. If, on the other hand, the knee is bent, the sac shrinks or
disappears.
Treatment. Treatment is restricted to the application of a blister
or to firing in points.

DISTENSION OF THE SYNOVIAL CAPSULE OF THE FETLOCK JOINT.

 The synovial
capsule of the
fetlock joint in
the ox is
strongly
supported in
front and at
the sides, but
may protrude
under the
anterior
ligament,
producing a
swelling
behind the
metacarpus
under the five
branches of
division of the
suspensory
ligament and
slightly below
Fig. 17.—Front the sesamoid Fig. 18.—Side view of the ox’s
view of the ox’s bones. These hock. The synovial sac of the true
hock, showing distensions, hock joint has been injected to
the relations of like bursal show the relations of the sacs.
the tendons swellings, are
and synovial commoner in
sacs. hind limbs and in old working oxen. Their
development is always followed in time by a certain
degree of knuckling over. At first the metacarpus
and phalanges come to form a straight line, but later the fetlock joint
itself is thrust forward.
The diagnosis necessitates careful manual examination of the
region of the fetlock joint.
The prognosis is somewhat grave, for the disease sooner or later
necessitates the destruction of certain animals.
 Treatment is practically identical with that used in all such
conditions: friction with camphorated alcohol, cold affusions and
massage in the earlier stages, followed if needful by blisters or firing
in points.

DISTENSION OF TENDON SHEATHS.

Distension of the synovial capsule which surrounds the superior

suspensory ligament, like distension of the articular capsule of the
fetlock, occurs in working animals, and most commonly affects the
front limbs. It is indicated by two swellings, one situated on either
side of and behind the branches of division of the suspensory
ligament and in front of the flexor tendons. These two swellings
extend higher than the articular swellings, which, however, they
sometimes accompany. The surface of the fetlock is then swollen,
doughy on pressure, and somewhat painful.
These enlargements may produce more or less marked lameness
and cause knuckling.
The diagnosis is clear from local examination.
The prognosis is unfavourable, as the animals after a time
become useless for work.
Treatment. The beginning of the disease may often be cured by
baths of running water, combined with massage. At a later stage,
local stimulants, blisters, or firing are necessary. The best treatment
probably consists in puncturing the parts with antiseptic
precautions, washing out the synovial cavity with an antiseptic, and
immediately afterwards lightly firing the surface of the region in
points.

DISTENSION OF TENDON SHEATHS IN THE REGION OF THE KNEE.

Any of the numerous tendon sheaths which facilitate the gliding of

tendons in the neighbourhood of the knee may become inflamed and
give rise to a chronic synovial swelling. The commonest of such
swellings is due to distension of the sheath of the extensor metacarpi
magnus, which appears as a vertical line in front of the knee,
extending from the lower third of the forearm and slightly to the
outer side of the central line. This synovial enlargement arises in
oxen working on broken roads, in clay or marshy soils, where the
animals are liable to stick fast, and are often obliged to struggle
vigorously in order to extricate themselves.
The diagnosis is based on the position and direction of the
dilated synovial sheath.
Treatment is identical with that of other cases of chronic
synovitis.

DISTENSION OF THE BURSAL SHEATH OF THE FLEXOR TENDONS.

This condition is rare. It is announced, as in the horse, by a

dilatation of semi-conical form, the apex of which is situated
opposite the lower margin of the carpal sheath, the base extending as
high as the infero-posterior third of the radius.
The dilatation is more marked on the inner than on the outer side
of the limb.
Distension of the synovial sheath of the common extensor of the
digits in the fore limb and of the extensor of the external digit is still
rarer than the preceding conditions.

TRAUMATIC SYNOVITIS—“OPEN SYNOVITIS.”

When an injury in the neighbourhood of a joint penetrates deeply,

it may implicate either the synovial sheath of a tendon or the
synovial membrane of a joint. If the body inflicting the wound is
aseptic, a condition which in accidental wounds is rare, the wound
may have no grave consequences. Usually, however, the body
producing the injury is infected, and the infection rapidly extends
throughout the tendon sheath or synovial sac. In the first case,
traumatic suppurating synovitis of a tendon sheath is the result; in
the second, a suppurating articular synovitis arises, which soon
becomes complicated with injury of the articular cartilages,
ligaments, etc. (traumatic arthritis).
The primary lesion may only affect the periarticular region, not
directly extending to the synovial membranes, and only after an
interval of some days may symptoms of suppurating synovitis or
suppurating arthritis appear, in consequence of progressive invasion
of the parts by specially virulent microbes.

TRAUMATIC TENDINOUS SYNOVITIS.

Suppurative inflammation of the synovial bursæ of tendons in

consequence of wounds most commonly affects the sesamoid sheaths
of the front or hind limbs; more rarely, the tendon sheaths of the
hock or knee; and, exceptionally, the small synovial sheaths of the
extensors of the metacarpus and phalanges, etc.
Such inflammation follows injuries with forks, harrow teeth, or
any sharp foreign body. It is characterised by the existence of a
fistula or wound, indicating the course taken by the body inflicting
the injury, from which at first normal synovia escapes. Later,
however, the discharge becomes turbid, and after the second day
gives place to a clotted, serous, or purulent fluid.
A diffuse, œdematous, warm, painful swelling very rapidly
develops around the injury. The animal is more or less feverish and
lame. The swelling soon extends throughout the entire length of the
infected synovial sheath. The patient loses appetite, and unless
treatment is promptly undertaken, complications supervene which
often necessitate slaughter. The prognosis is always grave.
Treatment. Continuous irrigation has long been recommended.
It is worthy of trial, but in the majority of cases occurring in current
practice it cannot be carried out.
Moussu prefers a form of treatment which he claims has always
succeeded in horses and oxen—viz., irrigation of the parts, followed
by injection of sublimate glycerine solution.
He first washes out the infected synovial cavity with boiled water
cooled to 100° Fahr. A counter-opening may become necessary, and
the washing should be continued until the escaping water appears
perfectly clear. Immediately after each such irrigation he injects from
7 to 14 drams of glycerine containing 1 part in 1,000 of corrosive
sublimate. He repeats this treatment daily.
By reason of its affinity for water and for the liquids in the tissues
or suppurating cavities into which it is injected, the glycerine
penetrates in all directions, reaching the finest ramifications of the
synovial sacs, a fact which explains its superiority over aqueous
antiseptic solutions.
Suppuration is rapidly checked and repair becomes regular. The
pain and lameness progressively diminish, and recovery may be
complete.
It is advisable to assist this internal antiseptic treatment by
external stimulants and by the use of a blister. Solutions of greater
strength than 1 part of sublimate to 500 of glycerine are only
required during the first few days of treatment and until suppuration
diminishes. Later, they prove irritant, and interfere with healing.

TRAUMATIC ARTICULAR SYNOVITIS—TRAUMATIC ARTHRITIS—“OPEN

ARTHRITIS.”

It has been described above how

primary inflammation of the articular
synovial membrane produced by a
wound may rapidly develop into
suppurating arthritis.
Symptoms. The pain is very
marked at the moment when the
accident occurs, but this pain, due to
the mechanical injury inflicted,
diminishes or completely disappears
after some hours. Soon, however,
synovial discharge sets in,
announcing the onset of traumatic
synovitis. At first limpid, it soon
becomes turbid, then curdled, and
finally grumous, purulent and greyish
in colour.
Pain then returns, rapidly becomes
intense, continuous and lancinating.
It produces lameness, sometimes so
severe that no weight whatever can
be borne on the limb. A diffuse,
œdematous, warm and extremely Fig. 19.—Suppurative
sensitive swelling then rapidly arthritis of the fetlock.
develops around the whole of the
injured joint. General disturbance,
with fever and loss of appetite, appears, indicating a very alarming
condition.
It is sometimes a little difficult to differentiate between this
condition and that due to injury of a tendon sheath, but as a rule
diagnosis is easy.
Prognosis is very grave. Life is threatened, and wasting occurs
very rapidly. Infection of the synovial membrane is soon followed by
necrosis and erosion of the articular cartilages, as well as by
softening and inflammatory change in the ligaments, etc.
Treatment. Should the patient
be in reasonably good condition,
but otherwise of no particular
value, it should at once be
slaughtered. If, on the other hand,
it possess a special value, and the
owner wish to preserve its life, the
same antiseptic treatment should
be adopted as was indicated in
dealing with suppurating synovitis
of tendon sheaths. The loss of the
articular cartilage of the joint is
followed by free granulation and
union of the apposed surfaces of
bone resulting in anchylosis of the
joint and qualified recovery. Such
results, however, are only likely to
follow in relatively light animals
which are capable of standing for
considerable periods.

Fig. 20.—Suppurative arthritis II.—STRAINS OF JOINTS.

following traumatic osteo-
periostitis.
 When, in consequence of
muscular contraction or external violence, the bony surfaces
constituting a joint are displaced so as to stretch, lacerate, or
partially tear the ligaments, synovial capsule or tendons supporting
the joint, so-called sprain, or strain, or wrench results. The articular
surfaces are not sufficiently displaced to cause luxation, but a series
of periarticular injuries result, and are followed by the symptoms
which we recognise as those of strain. Joints in which movement is
restricted within narrow limits, such as the hock or fetlock, are most
liable to such injuries, which also occur in very freely movable
articulations like the shoulder and stifle.

STRAIN OF THE SHOULDER.

This accident is produced by the animal falling on its side, by

slipping at the moment of landing, the limb being extended and in
contact with the ground, by the foot slipping at the moment when it
is leaving the ground and the limb is at its extreme limit of backward
extension, by side slips, etc. The periarticular lesions will then be
found on the front, back, or internal surface of the articulation,
depending on the manner in which the accident has occurred.
According to some authors, violent muscular efforts, as well as work
in soft clay soil, bogs and rice swamps, are also capable of causing
strain of the shoulder.
Symptoms. At first moving appears difficult, the patient lies
down a great deal, then lameness becomes characteristic. Movement
of the scapulo-humeral joint being painful, the patient endeavours as
far as possible to avoid it; the limb is advanced stiffly in an abducted
position and with a mowing movement. This semi-circular
movement avoids the necessity of flexing the scapulo-humeral angle,
but diminishes the length of the stride.
Locally, the region of the scapulo-humeral angle is swollen,
doughy, and extremely sensitive on manual examination. If the
practitioner endeavours to flex it by lifting the limb the animal
flinches.
Diagnosis. The diagnosis is not very difficult, although the
peculiar mowing movement is also seen in other cases, such as
cracked heels and mallenders.
Prognosis. The prognosis is favourable, for, provided there has
been only a moderate strain of the tendons or isolated injury to the
muscles, recovery is almost certain.
Treatment. Treatment consists in resting the animal and in
assisting repair.
The parts can be immobilised by the application of a vesicant or
mild blister. A week or ten days later dry friction, muscular and
periarticular massage are indicated, and gentle exercise should be
commenced. The same treatment may be employed in strain of the
elbow joint and in strains of muscles or tendons in the
neighbourhood of joints. Such lesions are, however, very rare in the
ox.

STRAIN OF THE KNEE.

Strain of the knee is commoner in the ox than in the horse,

because of the special conformation of the knee in the ox and the
mode of working under a yoke. This mode of working gives less
individual liberty to the fore quarters, and sometimes interferes with
the animal’s efforts when moving a load. Strains of ligaments and
periarticular injuries occur as a general rule on the inner side of the
limb.
The symptoms consist in lameness, exaggerated sensibility on
pressure, pain on forced flexion of the knee, and swelling of the
entire periarticular region.
The prognosis is somewhat serious in working oxen.
Treatment, when applicable, should consist of stimulant
dressings, massage, and douches.

STRAIN OF THE FETLOCK.

This is one of the commonest accidents of draught oxen.

Causation. Working on rough, irregular, rocky ground, or on
roads with deep ruts, is the commonest cause of this condition.
When the animal moves on irregular surfaces the two claws do not
bear an equal share of weight; sometimes the whole weight is for a
moment thrown on one claw.
The phalanges, therefore, are displaced inwards or outwards, or
are twisted around their vertical axis, causing the fetlock joint and its
supporting ligaments to be more or less severely strained. The
internal or external ligaments of the joint or the suspensory ligament
or flexor tendons may even be lacerated.
The fetlock may also be strained by the animal making violent
efforts to free the claws or pastern which have become fixed in a hole
in the ground, in bogging, in hobbling, or in leaping a fence.
Symptoms. Lameness is noticeable from the beginning, but is
unaccompanied by any visible lesion. On examination of the limb,
the entire region from the fetlock downwards is found to be sensitive
to pressure, and painful when forcibly extended or flexed from side
to side. This sensitiveness is particularly marked when the phalanges
are rotated on the shank. A few days later the entire fetlock becomes
the seat of diffused swelling.
Diagnosis is facilitated by the fact that the fetlock has an entirely
different appearance from that seen when tendon sheaths or the
synovial capsules of joints are distended.
Prognosis. The prognosis varies considerably, according to the
extent to which deep-seated structures are involved, and the gravity
of the lesions is usually proportioned to the intensity of the
symptoms.
Treatment. Frequent cold applications, cold foot baths for an
hour or two night and morning, and even cold poultices are useful.
When the pain has somewhat diminished, which usually occurs in
from three to four days, vesicants may be employed, and, at a later
stage, massage. Failing improvement by these methods, the injured
region may be fired in points.
Strain of the hind fetlock occurs under precisely similar conditions
to those above described in the case of front limbs.

STRAIN OF THE STIFLE JOINT.

Strain of the stifle joint results from over-extension of ligaments

without displacement of the patella, and also (and probably more
frequently) from injuries to the aponeurosis and tendons of insertion
of the abductor muscles of the femur and tibia.
Causation. Strain of the stifle may follow violent collisions, such
as occur in entering or leaving the stable, from falls on rough ground,
from direct blows, from slips, etc., or even from the sudden and
violent contraction of the muscles of the antero-external surface of
the quarter.
Symptoms. Lameness follows immediately or soon after the
accident, and is of a peculiar character; to avoid using the injured
joint, the animal advances the hind limb with a mowing movement.
The injured region exhibits diffuse inflammatory swelling, which
impedes palpation, and makes it difficult to determine the exact
nature of the local lesion. The thigh at the stifle is painful.
Diagnosis and prognosis. Diagnosis presents no considerable
difficulty. The prognosis must be based on the intensity of the
symptoms, and becomes grave if the tendons or aponeurotic
insertions be injured, or extensive damage have been done to
ligaments.
Treatment. At first, continued cold applications, douches, and
massage are most useful; blisters are more effective in the grave
cases, and comprise not only the ordinary blisters, but the powerful
mixed blister containing tartar emetic, powdered hellebore,
bichromate of potash, etc. If for any special reason it is of importance
to preserve the animal’s life, the parts may be fired; but for economic
reasons it is usually better to fatten it for the butcher.

STRAIN OF THE HOCK JOINT.

Causation. Strain of the hock joint is commonest in young oxen

which are being trained to work. Their hind quarters are necessarily
more or less free, and the animals are apt to make side movements to
avoid the goad, thus exposing the hock to irregular strain.
The internal ligaments are more frequently strained than the
external, a fact due to the conformation of the hocks.
Symptoms. Strain is accompanied by lameness, most marked
when the animals endeavour to turn, by exaggerated sensibility of
the entire hock region, and, in grave cases, by subcutaneous œdema.
 Diagnosis and prognosis. Diagnosis is simple. The prognosis is
sometimes grave, because a spavin or a permanent chronic
enlargement of the capsule of the true hock joint may form.
Treatment. It is often desirable at once to apply an extensive
blister over the whole hock and to supplement this at a later stage by
cold applications, or by continuous cold irrigation for half an hour or
more both night and morning.
In exceptional cases the use of the actual cautery becomes
necessary.
 III.—LUXATION OF JOINTS.

Luxation consists of permanent displacement of the bony surfaces

forming a joint, and may follow violent mechanical injury or any
other cause.
Luxations have been divided into congenital, i.e., such as exist
from the time of birth; spontaneous, i.e., those which result from
some defect of conformation or constitution; and acquired or
accidental, which occur as results of falls, wounds, accidents, etc.
From the point of view of their duration, luxations are termed
temporary when they do not necessitate reduction, progressive when
the tendency is towards greater and greater displacement of the
surfaces, or permanent when reduction is impossible.
Those commonest in bovines are luxations of the femur, luxation
of the patella, femoro-tibial luxation, and luxation of the scapulo-
humeral joint.

LUXATION OF THE FEMUR.

Luxation of the head of the femur with displacement beyond the

cotyloid cavity is very frequently congenital. The condition also
occurs with some frequency in adults or aged animals in
consequence of relaxation of the articular ligaments and the absence
of the subpubic ligament (pubio-femoral ligament).
Causation. Luxation may be congenital, the head of the femur
being displaced backwards and carried above the cotyloid cavity.
This form is of no practical interest, because the animals are not
usually reared. More frequently in young or adult animals it assumes
the spontaneous progressive form, in consequence of degenerative
changes in and relaxation of the coxo-femoral interosseous ligament.
The head of the femur presses on the upper margin of the cotyloid
cavity, which it injures, and eventually becomes lodged in the
neighbourhood of the neck of the ilium, in the great sciatic notch.
This luxation is also found as a purely accidental occurrence in
animals which have suffered from falls and from slipping of the hind
limbs backwards or sidewards, as occasionally follows awkward
leaping movements. The slipping outwards of the limbs, which
causes this form of luxation, is comparatively easy, because of the
absence of the pubio-femoral ligament. The accident may also be
followed merely by subluxation, that is to say, tearing of the inner
portion of the capsular ligament and rupture of some portion of the
adductor muscles of the thigh without rupture of the interosseous
fibres, the head of the femur not quitting the cotyloid cavity. This
accident occurs in stables with smooth, slippery floors, and in
railway trucks. It may affect one side or both. The latter condition is
exceptional.
Finally, luxation may be either complete (in which case the
capsular and interosseous ligaments are both ruptured) or
incomplete. In the former case, the head of the femur becomes
displaced upwards and forwards towards the great sciatic notch,
more rarely backwards in the direction of the ischium, and in
exceptional cases downwards and inwards below the pubis into the
foramen ovale.
Symptoms. The symptoms vary, depending on whether the
luxation is of the spontaneous, progressive order or, on the contrary,
is accidental. In progressive luxation, the animals are able to rise and
walk with difficulty. The affected limb swings when the animal is
advancing, not as though it were paralysed, but simply as though
displaced at its upper part. Pain is exhibited when weight is placed
on the limb, and there is difficulty in movement. The limb appears
shorter than its neighbour when the animal stands on it, and the
prominence representing the trochanter is more marked. When a
false joint has formed, the limb is rigid, is moved stiffly and
abducted, and the stride is shortened.
 Fig. 21.—Accidental luxation of the hip joint.

In accidental luxations, either of one or both limbs, the attitude

assumed by the animal is often characteristic. One of the limbs is
extended at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the body, and
sometimes both limbs assume this position, an attitude which would
be absolutely impossible under normal conditions. The animal
cannot rise. It lifts the front part of the body by rising on its knees,
but the hind quarters do not follow. The ruptured adductor muscles
are unable to bring and hold the limb parallel to the longitudinal axis
of the body; the abductors act unopposed, and at the moment when
the animal makes its greatest effort to rise the limb (or limbs) is
carried outwards and the body comes to the ground on the udder or
groin.
Inspection discovers a depression where the great trochanter
should be. On applying the open hand over the hip joint, whilst an
assistant who grasps the pastern moves the limb in different
directions, one can feel and hear, in spite of the mass of muscle
covering the part, a modified crepitation due to sero-sanguinolent
effusion in and around the joint. This crepitation can also be
detected by pushing the hand as high up as possible on the internal
surface of the thigh, and thus exploring the neighbourhood of the
luxation.
Diagnosis. The position which the animal assumes when one
endeavours to make it rise is characteristic. Diagnosis of progressive
luxation, however, is more difficult.
Prognosis. The prognosis is extremely grave; for, even though
reduction can be effected, one is practically unable to ensure that the
parts shall remain in position.
Treatment. Treatment comprises reduction of the luxation and
fixation of the parts. Reduction can be effected without very much
difficulty by casting the animal on the affected side, placing a block
of wood, or a pail, between the thighs, and manœuvring the limb in
the desired direction. As, however, subluxation is the condition most
commonly seen, there is frequently no reduction to effect. Moreover,
fixation of the joint after reduction is almost impossible in such
heavy subjects, and luxation is very liable to recur. From an
economic standpoint, slaughter is advisable or imperative.

LUXATION OF THE PATELLA.

Luxation of the patella is not uncommon in working oxen, and is

occasionally seen in cows as the result of a slip when entering or
leaving the byre, the reason being the peculiar anatomical
arrangement of the femoro-patellar articulation.
The internal lip of the trochlea of the femur is very high, the
external, on the other hand, being only slightly developed. The
patella itself is smaller than that of the horse, and possesses a small
cartilaginous prolongation, principally on its inner face, in marked
contrast with the large cartilage found in the horse. As in the latter
animal, the outward displacement of the patella is only prevented by
the internal patellar ligament and the femoro-patellar aponeurosis.
Under the influence of varying causes to which the joint is exposed,
these supporting structures often prove insufficient to prevent the
patella being displaced outwardly.
Causation. From an anatomical standpoint, luxation inwards
seems impossible. It certainly must be very rare and be preceded by