houlder blade is so situated as
to be liable to be forced out of place in four directions. It may escape
from its socket, according to the manner in which the violence affects
it--outward, inward, backward, or forward--and the deformity which
results and the effects which follow will correspondingly differ. We
have said that treatment is generally unsuccessful. It may be added that
the difficulties which interpose in the way of reduction are nearly
insurmountable, and that the application of means for the retention of
the parts after reduction would be next to impossible. The prognosis,
from any point of view, is sufficiently grave for the luckless animal
with a dislocated shoulder.

THE HIP JOINT.

This joint partakes very much of the characteristics of the
humero-scapular articulation, but is more strongly built. The head of
the thigh bone is more separated, or prominent and rounder in form, and
the cup-like cavity, or socket, into which it fits is much deeper,
forming together a deep, true ball-and-socket joint, which is, moreover,
reenforced by two strong cords of funicular ligaments, which unite them.
It will be easily comprehended, from this hint of the anatomy of the
region, that a luxation of the hip joint must be an accident of
comparatively rare occurrence; yet cases are recorded in which the head
of the bone has been affirmed to slip out of its cavity and assume
various positions--inward, outward, forward, or backward.

The indications of treatment are those of all cases of dislocation. When
the reduction is accomplished the surgeon will be apprised of the fact
by the peculiar, snapping sound usually heard on such occasions.

PSEUDO-LUXATIONS OF THE PATELLA.

This is not a true dislocation. The stifle bone is so peculiarly
articulated with the thigh bone that the means of union are of
sufficient strength to resist the causes which usually give rise to
luxations, yet there is sometimes discovered a peculiar, pathological
state in the hind legs of animals, the effect of which is closely to
simulate the manifestation of many of the general symptoms of
dislocations. This condition originates in muscular cramps, the action
of which is seen in a certain change in the coaptation of the articular
surfaces of the stifle and thigh bone, resulting in the exhibition of a
sudden and alarming series of symptoms which have suggested the phrase
of "stifle out" as a descriptive term.

_Symptoms._--The animal so aff