THE MUSCLES AND PROPER FORM OF THE NECK. 211 



If the ulcer has deepened and spread, and threatens to eat into the ligaments 

 of the joints of the neck, it may be necessary to stimulate its surface, and 

 perhaps painfully so, in order to bring it to a healthy state, and dispose it to 

 fill up. In extreme cases, some highly stimulating application may be em- 

 ployed, but nothing resembling the scalding mixture of the farriers of the olden 

 time. This is abominable ! horrible ! ! All measures, however, will be ineffectual, 

 unless the pus or matter is, by the use of setons, perfectly evacuated. The 

 application of these setons will require the skill and anatomical knowledge of the 

 veterinary surgeon. In desperate cases, the wound may not be fairly exposed 

 to the action of the caustic without the division of the ligament of the neck. 

 This may be effected with perfect safety ; for although the ligament is carried 

 on to the occipital bone, and some strength is gained by this prolongation of it, 

 the main stress is on the second bone ; and the head will continue to be sup- 

 ported. The divided ligament, also, will soon unite again, and its former use- 

 fulness will be restored when the wound is healed. 



The second bone of the neck is the dentata, having a process like a tooth, by 

 which it forms a joint with the first bone. In the formation of that joint, a 

 portion of the spinal marrow, which runs through a canal in the centre of all 

 these bones, is exposed or covered only by ligament ; and by the division of the 

 marrow at this spot an animal is instantly and humanely destroyed. The 

 operation is called pitMny* from the name (the pith) given by butchers to the 

 spinal marrow. 



The other neck, or rack bones, as they are denominated by the farrier, (B, 

 p. 108,) are of a strangely irregular shape, yet bearing considerable resemblance to 

 each other. They consist of a central bone, perforated for the passage of the 

 spinal marrow with a ridge on the top for the attachment of the ligament of the 

 neck, and four irregular plates or processes from the sides, for the attachment 

 of muscles ; at the base of one of which, on either side, are holes foi the passage 

 of the large arteries and veins. At the upper end of each, is a round head 01 ball, 

 and at the lower end, a cavity or cup, and the head of the one being received 

 into the cup of the other, they are united together, forming so many joints. 

 They are likewise united by ligaments from these processes, as well as the 

 proper ligaments of the joints, and so securely, that no dislocation can take 

 place between any of them, except the first and second, the consequence of 

 which would be the immediate death of the animal. 



The last, or seventh bone, has the elevation on the back or top of it continued 

 into a long and sharp prolongation (a spinous process), and is the beginning of 

 that ridge of bones denominated the withers (see cut, pp. 108 and 221) ; and as 

 it is the base of the column of neck bones, and there must be a great pressure on 

 it from the weight of the head and neck, it is curiously contrived to rest upon 

 and unite with the two first ribs. 



THE MUSCLES AND PROPER FORM OF THE NECK. 



The bones of the neck serve as the frame-work to which numerous muscles 

 concerned in the motions of the head and neck are attached. The weight of 

 the head and neck is supported by the ligament without muscular aid, and 

 without fatigue to the animal ; but in order to raise the head higher, or to 

 lower it, or to turn it in every direction, a complicated system of muscles is 

 necessary. Those whose office it is to raise the head are most numerous and 

 powerful, and are placed on the upper and side part of the neck. The cut in 

 p. 172 contains a few of them. 



c marks a tendon common to two of the most important of them, the splenius 

 or splint- likfc muscle, and the cornplewus major ^ or larger complicated muscle. 



p2 



