LAMENESS OF THE HORSE VETERINARY PRACTITIONERS' SERIES, NO. 1 TEXT

E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland, Julia Miller, and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net) Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file which includes the original illustrations. See 16370-h.htm or 16370-h.zip: (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/3/7/16370/16370-h/16370-h.htm) or (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/3/7/16370/16370-h.zip) Transcriber's Note: The original text was inconsistent in the use of accents and hyphenation. These variants and a small number of typographical errors were maintained in this transcription. A complete list of the variant spellings is found at the end of the book along with the list of typographical errors. The Table of Contents lists the Authorities Cited section as preceding the Index, but it was printed following the Index. This order has been retained in this transcription. Veterinary Practitioners' Series No. 1 LAMENESS OF THE HORSE by J. V. Lacroix, D.V.S. Professor of Surgery, The Kansas City Veterinary College Author of "Animal Castration" Illustrated Chicago American Journal Of Veterinary Medicine 1916 PREFACE All that can be known on the subject of lameness, is founded on a knowledge of anatomy and of the physiology of locomotion. Without such knowledge, no one can master the principles of the diagnosis of lameness. However, it must be assumed that the readers are informed on these subjects, as it is impossible to include this fundamental instruction in a work so brief as this one. The technic of certain operative or corrective procedures, has been described at length only where such methods are not generally employed. Where there is no departure from the usual methods, treatment that is essentially within the domain of surgery or practice is not given in specific detail. Realizing the need for a treatise in the English language dealing with diagnosis and treatment of lameness, the author undertook the preparation of this manuscript. That the difficulties of depicting by means of word-pictures, the symptoms evinced in baffling cases of lameness, presented themselves in due course of writing, it is needless to say. It is hoped that this volume will serve its readers to the end that the handling of cases of lameness will become a more satisfactory and successful part of their work; that both the practitioner and his clients may profit thereby; and last but by no means least, that the horse, which has given such incalculable service to mankind and is deserving of a more concrete reward, will be benefited by the application of the principles herein outlined. In addition to the consultation of standard works bearing on various phases of the subject of lameness, the author wishes to thankfully acknowledge helpful advice and assistance received from the publisher, Dr. D.M. Campbell; to appreciatively credit Drs. L.A. Merillat, A. Trickett and F.F. Brown for valuable suggestions given from time to time. Particular acknowledgment is made to Dr. Septimus Sisson, author, and W.B. Saunders & Co., publishers of The Anatomy of Domestic Animals, for permission to use a number of illustrations from that work. J.V.L. Chicago, Illinois, October, 1916. _Justice shows a triumphant face at the works of humane practitioners, who give serious thought and expend honest effort, for the alleviation of animal suffering._ TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Illustrations 7 Introduction 11 SECTION I Etiology and Occurrence 15 Affections of Bones 15 Rarefying Osteitis, or Degenerative Changes 16 Fractures 16 Affections of Ligaments 20 Luxations--Dislocations 21 Arthritis 22 Affections of Bursae and Thecae 27 Affections of Muscles and Tendons 28 Affections of Nerves 30 Affections of Blood Vessels 31 Affections of Lymph Vessels and Glands 32 Affections of the Feet 34 SECTION II Diagnostic Principles 37 Anamnesis 38 Visual Examination 39 Attitude of the Subject 41 Examination by Palpation 43 Passive Movements 47 Observing the Character of the Gait 48 Special Methods of Examination 53 SECTION III Lameness in the Fore Leg Anatomo-Physiological Review of Parts of the Fore Leg 55 Shoulder Lameness 61 Fracture of the Scapula 62 Scapulohumeral Arthritis 65 Infectious Arthritis 66 Injuries 66 Wounds 67 Luxation of the Scapulohumeral Joint 67 Inflammation of the Bicipital Bursa 68 Contusions of the Triceps Brachii 71 Shoulder Atrophy (Sweeny) 73 Paralysis of the Suprascapular Nerve 75 Radial Paralysis 77 Thrombosis of the Brachial Artery 81 Fracture of the Humerus 82 Inflammation of the Elbow 84 Fracture of the Ulna 86 Fracture of the Radius 87 Wounds of the Anterior Brachial Region 90 Inflammation and Contraction of the Carpal Flexors 93 Fracture and Luxation of the Carpal Bones 96 Carpitis 98 Open Carpal Joint 100 Thecitis and Bursitis 104 Fracture of the Metacarpus 106 Splints 107 Open Fetlock Joint 110 Phalangeal Exostosis (Ringbone) 118 Open Sheath of the Flexors of the Phalanges 124 Luxation of the Fetlock Joint 125 Sesamoiditis 127 Fracture of the Proximal Sesamoids 128 Inflammation of the Posterior Ligaments of the Pastern Proximal Interphalangeal Joint 129 Fracture of the First and Second Phalanges 131 Tendinitis (Inflammation of the Flexor Tendons) 135 Chronic Tendinitis and Contraction of the Flexor Tendons 137 Contracted Tendons of Foals 143 Rupture of the Flexor Tendons and Suspensory Ligament 146 Thecitis and Bursitis in the Fetlock Region 150 Arthritis of the Fetlock Joint 152 Ossification of the Cartilages of the Third Phalanx 155 Navicular Disease 157 Laminitis 160 Calk Wounds (Paronychia) 170 Corns 172 Quittor 174 Nail Punctures 178 SECTION IV Lameness in the Hind Leg Anatomo-Physiological Consideration of the Pelvic Limbs 185 Hip Lameness 195 Fractures of the Pelvic Bones 196 Fractures of the Femur 199 Luxation of the Femur 201 Gluteal Tendo-Synovitis 203 Paralysis of the Hind Leg 204 Paralysis of the Femoral (Crural) Nerve 204 Paralysis of the Obturator Nerve 206 Paralysis of the Sciatic Nerve 208 Iliac Thrombosis 209 Fracture of the Patella 212 Luxation of the Patella 213 Chronic Gonitis 217 Open Stifle Joint 220 Fracture of the Tibia 222 Rupture and Wounds of the Tendo Achillis 224 Spring-Halt (String-Halt) 225 Open Tarsal Joint 229 Fracture of the Fibular Tarsal Bone (Calcaneum) 230 Tarsal Sprains 232 Curb 233 Spavin (Bone Spavin) 235 Distension of the Tarsal Joint Capsule (Bog Spavin) 242 Distension of the Tarsal Sheath of the Deep Digital Flexor (Thoroughpin) 246 Capped Hock 251 Rupture and Division of the Long Digital Extensor (Extensor Pedis) 253 Wounds from Interfering 255 Lymphangitis 257 Authorities Cited 265 Index 267 ILLUSTRATIONS Page Fig. 1--Hoof Testers 53 Fig. 2--Muscles of Left Thoracic Limb, Lateral View 56 Fig. 3--Muscles of Left Thoracic Limb, Medial View 57 Fig. 4--Sagital Section of Digit and Distal Part of Metacarpus 59 Fig. 5--Ordinary Type of Heavy Sling 62 Fig. 6--A Sling Made in Two Parts 63 Fig. 7--Paralysis of the Suprascapular Nerve of Left Shoulder 76 Fig. 8--Radial Paralysis 78 Fig. 9--Merillat's Method of Fixing Carpus in Radial Paralysis 79 Fig. 10--Contraction of Carpal Flexors, "Knee Sprung" 95 Fig. 11--Pericarpal Inflammation and Enlargement Due to Injury 99 Fig. 12--Hygromatous Condition of the Right Carpus 100 Fig. 13--Carpal Exostosis in Aged Horse 101 Fig. 14--Exostosis of Carpus Resultant from Carpitis 102 Fig. 15--Distal End of Radius, Illustrating Effects of Carpitis 102 Fig. 16--Posterior View of Radius, Illustrating Effects of Splint 108 Fig. 17--Phalangeal Exosteses 120 Fig. 18--Rarefying Osteitis in Chronic Ringbone 121 Fig. 19--Phalangeal Exostoses in Chronic Ringbone 122 Fig. 20--Contraction of Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon Due to Tendinitis 138 Fig. 21--Contraction of Deep Flexor Tendon Due to Tendinitis 139 Fig. 22--Chronic Case of Contraction of Both Flexor Tendons of the Phalanges 140 Fig. 23--Contraction of Superficial and Deep Flexor Tendons 141 Fig. 24--Contraction of Superficial Digital Flexor and Slight Contraction of Deep Flexor Tendon 142 Fig. 25--"Fish Knees" 145 Fig. 26--Extreme Dorsal Flexion 146 Fig. 27--A Good Style of Shoe for Bracing the Fetlock 148 Fig. 28--The Roberts Brace in Operation 149 Fig. 29--Distension of Theca of Extensor of the Digit 151 Fig. 30--Rarefying Osteitis Wherein Articular Cartilage Was Destroyed 153 Fig. 31--Ringbone and Sidebone 156 Fig. 32--Position Assumed by Horse Having Unilateral Navicular Disease 159 Fig. 33--The Hoof in Chronic Laminitis 165 Fig. 34--Effects of Laminitis 166 Fig. 35--Cochran Shoe, Inferior Surface 168 Fig. 36--Cochran Shoe, Superior Surface 169 Fig. 37--Hyperplasia of Eight Forefoot Due to Chronic Quittor 176 Fig. 38--Chronic Quittor, Left Hind Foot 177 Fig. 39--Skiagraph of Foot 179 Fig. 40--Sagital Section of Eight Hock 186 Fig. 41--Muscles of Right Leg; Front View 187 Fig. 42--Muscles of Lower Part of Thigh, Leg and Foot 189 Fig. 43--Right Stifle Joint; Lateral View 190 Fig. 44--Left Stifle Joint; Medial View 191 Fig. 45--Left Stifle Joint; Front View 193 Fig. 46--Oblique Fracture of the Femur 200 Fig. 47--Fracture of Femur After Six Months' Treatment 201 Fig. 48--Aorta and Its Branches Showing Location of Thrombi 210 Fig. 49--Thrombosis of the Aorta, Iliacs and Branches 211 Fig. 50--Chronic Gonitis 218 Fig. 51--Position Assumed in Gonitis 219 Fig. 52--Spring-halt 226 Fig. 53--Lateral View of Tarsus Showing Effects of Tarsitis 228 Fig. 54--Right Hock Joint 231 Fig. 55--Spavin 235 Fig. 56--Bog Spavin 243 Fig. 57--Thoroughpin 247 Fig. 58--Fibrosity of Tarsus in Chronic Thoroughpin 248 Fig. 59--Another View of Case Shown in Fig. 58 249 Fig. 60--"Capped Hock" 252 Fig. 61--Chronic Lymphangitis 258 Fig. 62--Elephantiasis 259 INTRODUCTION Lameness is a symptom of an ailment or affection and is not to be considered in itself as an anomalous condition. It is the manifestation of a structural or functional disorder of some part of the locomotory apparatus, characterized by a limping or halting gait. Therefore, any affection causing a sensation and sign of pain which is increased by the bearing of weight upon the affected member, or by the moving of such a distressed part, results in an irregularity in locomotion, which is known as lameness or claudication. A halting gait may also be produced by the abnormal development of a member, or by the shortening of the leg occasioned by the loss of a shoe. For descriptive purposes lameness may be classified as _true_ and _false_. _True lameness_ is such as is occasioned by structural or functional defects of some part of the apparatus of locomotion, such as would be caused by spavin, ring-bone, or tendinitis. _False lameness_ is an impediment in the gait not caused by structural or functional disturbances, but is brought on by conditions such as may result from the too rapid driving of an unbridle-wise colt over an irregular road surface, or by urging a horse to trot at a pace exceeding the normal gait of the animal's capacity, causing it to "crow-hop" or to lose balance in the stride. The latter manifestation might, to the inexperienced eye, simulate _true lameness_ of the hind legs, but in reality, is merely the result of the animal having been forced to assume an abnormal pace and a lack of balance in locomotion is the consequence. The degree of lameness, though variable in different instances, is in most cases proportionate to the causative factor, and this fact serves as a helpful indicator in the matter of establishing a diagnosis and giving the prognosis, especially in cases of somewhat unusual character. An animal may be slightly lame and the exhibition of lameness be such as to render the cause bafflingly obscure. Cases of this nature are sometimes quite difficult to classify and in occasional instances a positive diagnosis is impossible. Subjects of this kind may not be sufficiently inconvenienced to warrant their being taken out of service, yet a lame horse, no matter how slightly affected, should not be continued in service unless it can be positively established that the degree of discomfort occasioned by the claudication is small and the work to be done by the animal, of the sort that will not aggravate the condition. Subjects that are very lame--so lame that little weight is borne by the affected member--are, of course, unfit for service and as a rule are not difficult of diagnosis. For instance, a fracture of the second phalanx would cause much more lameness than an injury to the lateral ligament of the coronary joint wherein there had occurred only a slight sprain, and though crepitation is not recognized, the diagnostician is not justified in excluding the possibility of fracture, if the lameness seems disproportionate to the apparent first cause. The course taken by cases of lameness is as variable as the degree of its manifestation, and no one can definitely predict the duration of any given cause of claudication. Because of the fact that horses are not often good self-nurses at best, and that it is difficult to enforce proper care for the parts affected, one can not wisely state that resolution will promptly follow in an acute involvement, nor can he predict that the case will or will not become chronic. Experience has proved that complete or partial recovery may result, or again, that no change may occur in any given case, and that in some instances even where rational treatment is early administered, a decided aggravation of the condition may follow unaccountably. However, because of the economic element to be reckoned with, it is of some value to be able to give a fairly accurate prognosis in the handling of cases of lameness, as in the majority of instances the treatment and manner of after-care are determined largely by the expense that any prescribed line of attention will occasion. A case of acute bone spavin in a horse of little value is not generally treated in a manner that will incur an expense equivalent to one-half