Facilitated communication: an experimental evaluation.

Nineteen participants in a day treatment program for the developmentally disabled participated in this validation study of facilitated communication (FC). Subjects and facilitators had been involved in FC and judged competent by supervisors of the FC project at the facility. An information-passing design was used requiring short-term recall of one randomly selected stimulus card at a time. Cards varied by the shape, the color of that shape, and the number of that shape used on each card. Results failed to validate facilitated communication for the group as a whole, any individual facilitator, or any of the subjects. The closeness of the results to chance expectations from an experiment designed to validate only the most elemental claims of FC suggests that extraordinary caution be accorded any claims of communication that are the sole product of FC.

Histoplasmosis in horses.

Histoplasmosis was diagnosed in nine horses during 1986-1990. The infection with Histoplasma capsulatum caused granulomatous placentitis and abortion in one mare in the 7th month of gestation and three mares in the 10th month. Four newborn foals died from severe granulomatous pneumonia within a few days of birth; and a weanling thoroughbred developed granulomatous pneumonia and lymphadenitis at 5 months of age.

Slab fractures of the fourth and intermediate carpal bones in five horses.

Fractures of the fourth carpal bone were diagnosed in 5 horses; 3 fractures were associated with fracture of the intermediate carpal bone. The diagnosis was delayed in all 5 horses, apparently because of the moderate nature of the clinical signs. Open surgical reduction with lag screw type fixation was used in all horses. Because of delayed treatment, transfixation of carpal bones (necessary for stability), and surgical trauma, degenerative joint disease with osteophyte formation occurred in all 5 horses. None of the 5 horses was able to begin or return successfully to work, although 4 of the 5 were pasture/breeding sound. One horse was euthanatized after being allowed free exercise too early. A mechanical hypothesis is presented for the pathogenesis of these fractures.

The cause and prevention of sacroiliac arthrosis in the Standardbred horse: a theoretical study.

Sacroiliac arthrosis is a major cause of "hiking" lameness (often, so-called "stifle lameness") in Standardbred horses. The cause of this arthrosis is found in the moment forces generated as horses negotiate unbanked and underbanked turns and in the forces generated on cambered racing surfaces. The prediction is that such lameness could be virtually eliminated if racetrack and training track turns were properly banked and camber held to a minimum.

An hypothesis of the pathogenesis of curb in horses.

An hypothesis on the pathogenesis of curb in horses is considered in the light of conformation, work and the appropriate mechanics. Prevention consists of graded work until the planter tarsal ligament has strengthened sufficiently to withstand maximum normal forces.