PAKTICULAR FRACTURES 237 



cord, in which case there is a prospect of recovery. It is necessary, there- 

 fore, that a careful consideration be given not only to the symptoms, but 

 also to the history of the case, especially with regard to its origin. 



There are two diseases with which fracture of the vertebrae may be con- 

 founded by persons who have no practical experience of the subject. 



These are " thrombosis ", or plugging of the iliac arteries, and a dis- 

 ordered state of the blood termed " haemoglobin uria ", both of which are 

 dealt with elsewhere. 



Animals when suffering from the former ailment lose the power of 

 motion behind after exertion, but it differs from fracture in the fact that 

 the disablement soon passes away, and the animal rises to his feet and 

 continues in apparent health until exertion is renewed, when the paralysis 

 returns, and this may be repeated again and again for weeks and months. 



In the latter disease the affected horse is attacked with sudden and 

 acute lameness in one hind-limb, which sooner or later results in complete 

 disablement and inability to stand. The respiration is hurried, and accom- 

 panied by an outburst of profuse sweating. With this the urine becomes 

 dark or even black, like porter, and on being boiled shows the presence 

 of large quantities of albumen. The symptoms above described serve to 

 differentiate the two diseases from fracture of the vertebrae. 



Treatment. — -Where paralysis is due to concussion the injured animal 

 should be provided with a deep straw bed, and be allowed to lie quietly 

 for four or five days before any attempt is made to test his powers of 

 movement. A dose of physic should be given at once, and hot cloths 

 well wrung out applied over the spine. Eeturning innervation of the 

 affected muscles will be shown by slight voluntary movement of the 

 hind-limbs, which will increase day by day until an attempt is made 

 to rise. This, however, should not be hastened by any pressure or 

 encouragement to assume the upright posture, but everything should be 

 done to induce the animal to remain recumbent. To avoid the formation 

 of bed-sores, and minister to his general comfort, he must be carefully 

 turned over from time to time, and friction vigorously applied to the 

 region of the quarter will assist in bringing about restoration of power. 

 As this appears, the administration of small doses of strychnia may be 

 resorted to, and gradually increased as time goes on and the muscles 

 regain their strength. 



Where the vertebrae are fractured there is little hope of any benefit 

 being derived from treatment, and the only alternative is slaughter. 



