388 DISEASES OP THE NECK. 



DISEASES OF THE NECK. 



I.— WOUNDS AND BRUISES OF THE TISSUES OF THE NECK. 



In the domestic animals the cervical vertebrae, which are compara- 

 tively long, are surrounded by well-developed muscles, and thus 

 protected from injury. Anteriorly, i.e., below the cervical portion of 

 the vertebral column, lie the trachea and oesophagus, the jugular and 

 carotid, with the nerve trunks of the vagus and sympathetic ; above the 

 vertebrae, the ligamentum nuchae, which gives attachment to many of 

 the muscles of the neck. The latter consists of a round portion forming 

 the upper border of the neck, and a flat portion which extends in the 

 middle line from the vertebrae to the cordiform portion. The collective 

 muscles of the neck are surrounded by 'two fasciae, which extend to the 

 withers and back, and become attached to the cordiform portion of the 

 ligamentum nuchae. In cattle the skin is folded at the lower end of the 

 neck to form the dewlap. 



Wounds confined to the skin are of no great consequence. 

 Deeper reaching injuries may involve important organs. To this 

 class belong — 



(1) Bruises and wounds of the fascia of the neck and of the ligamen- 

 tum nuchae. When healing results by primary intention, these cases 

 are also unimportant, but should pus formation occur, the tendinous 

 structures (fascia, ligamentum nuchse) usually become necrotic. 

 Separation of dead particles requires a long time, and during the 

 process fresh tracts of tissue are often infected. Healing is thus 

 retarded and rendered difficult. This is especially frequent in 

 injuries to the poll, withers, ligamentum nuchae, or adjacent fasciae, 

 which lead to chronic formation of pus and sinuses. The process 

 often starts at the withers and extends thence to the ligamentum 

 nuchae and muscles of the neck ; these conditions are treated of 

 under " Diseases of the Back." It is here only necessary to remark 

 that all such cases are treated by thorough antisepsis, and preventing 

 as far as possible extension of infection and pus formation. 



(2) Injuries to the large blood-vessels of the neck, carotid and 

 jugular. Injuries to the carotid by sabre cuts, thrusts from lances 

 or other sharp objects, as well as those inflicted during venesection 

 may endanger life, by producing bleeding or suffocation. Injuries 

 to the jugular vein are less grave, though its complete section 

 may lead to fatal haemorrhage ; while there is also a danger of air 



