diseases of the digestive organs.

BONES DISEASES AND ACCIDENTS. 293(acetabulum) occasionally though rarely occurs, and is nearly alwaysassociated with dislocation of the hip joint and the forcingof the headof the upper bone of the leg (femur) upAvard, far out of its place. Theviolent contraction of powerful muscles of the hip renders it impossibleto reduce the dislocation, and even if it were possible the fractured pelviscould not be held in position, so that the case becomes at once ahopeless one. It may be recognized by the animal standing on threelegs, the leg on the injured side seeming shorter than its fellow andhanging pendulous, the muscles of the hip violently contracted andhard to the touch. The animal evinces great pain when the limb ismoved. There is likely to be some apparent distortion in the relationsbetween the point of the hip and the point of the buttock. This will bemore readily noticed by comparing the injured side with the other. Theparts may be moved so as to produce crepitus. The examination maybe completed by introducing the oiled hand into the vagina or rectum,Avhen the tAvo sides of the pelvis will reveal well marked differences.Fracture of the point of the hip.—The anterior and external part ofthe pelvis (ilium), commonly known as the point of the hip, is liable tofracture which stock OAAmers describe as " hipping," or being " hipped."This accident is likely to be the result of croAvding while passingthrough a narrow door, of falling violently on the point of the hip, orfrom a violent blow directed downward and forward against it. Thelesion generally extends across the flat surface of the bone from itsouter and posterior edge forward and inward. Distortion is likely tobe the only noticeable symptom. The detached portion varies in sizein different cases and with it the resulting deformity. The animal isnoticed to be slightly lame, but this symptom soon disappears. Thedetached portion of the bone is drawn downward and aAvay from themain part by the action of the muscles below, which are so powerful asto render return impossible. Bony union between the tAvo parts doesnot again take place, but a cartilaginous hinge, previously described asa false joint, supplies the deficiency. The animal suffers very littleinconvenience, and for practical use may be serviceable as before theaccident, though the distorted appearance depreciates its value.Fracture of the ribs.—Such an occurrence can take place only as theresult of a direct injury, as from blows or crowding. The posteriorribs, being more exposed, are more liable to fracture. Pain in moving,slight swelling over the seat of injury, and difficult breathing are obvioussymptoms. If the fracture be complete, crepitation may be occasionallynoticed by placing the hand flat over the injured part, observingcarefully the motion as the chest contracts and expands duringrespiration. This symptom is more noticeable when the animal coughs.Unless the point of the broken bone penetrates the cavity of the chestthe fracture is usually unimportant and calls for no treatment otherthan quiet. If the breathing is very labored and attended with muchpain, motion may be limited by applying a Avide bandage firmly around