Text book of veterinary medicine, Volume 1 (of 5)Law, James
Science
Text book of veterinary medicine, Volume 1 (of 5)
Law, James
Veterinary medicine
liberty, lie more frequently on the side on which the heaviest internal
organs are lodged, thus ruminants, pigs, and dogs rest on the right (the
side of the liver) though in cattle with a heavily loaded rumen the
condition may be reversed. Decubitus on the abdomen, with the limbs
extended and abducted implies profound nervous disorder or shock.
Habitual decubitus often indicates severe suffering in legs or feet.
Resting one limb more than another implies injury to that limb. Standing
with the pastern of one limb more upright than the others has the same
meaning. Extension of one fore foot in advance of its fellow with
flexion of the pastern and fetlock denotes suffering in the posterior
part of the foot or in the flexors. Flexion of carpus and fetlock
without advance of the foot probably bespeaks injury to shoulder or
elbow. Inability to bear weight on the fore limb, without knuckling at
the knee, should call for examination of the olecranon and joints
especially the elbow. Inability to extend the carpus should lead to
investigation of the flexor muscles and tendons, the joints and the
heel. Movement of the hind limb without flexure of the tarsus would
suggest injury to that joint, the stifle or the flexor metatarsi tendon.
Inability to extend stifle and hock, should demand examination of the
tendo-Achillus and olecranon, of the triceps extensor cruris and of its
nerves.
Atrophy of a muscle or group would require scrutiny of its tendons and
its nerve and blood supply.
More precise indications of injury of the locomotor system must be found
under surgery.
After posture, the general or constitutional disorder may claim
attention. Is the illness acute or chronic? Is fever present? Has the
animal had a rigor? Does the coat stare in patches (along the spine) or
generally? Is there perspiration? Is there full, clear, somewhat
congested eye (=sthenic=) or drooping lids over a dull brownish
sclerotic (=asthenic=). Are the lower parts of the limbs and other
extremities cold, and the roots of the horns or ears hot? Is there
significant heat and dryness of the muzzle (ox), nose (dog), snout
(pig), palmar-pad (carnivora), hoof (solidungala, bisulcates), bill and
digits (birds)? Has the mouth the hot burning feeling of fever? Finally
is the temperature as indicated by the thermometer abnormally high? To
estimate this with any degree of certainty one must be well acquainted
with the normal temperature.
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