RESULTS OF DISTORTION OF THE NECK. 399 



breaking through of a retropharyngeal abscess. The horse held 

 the head and neck stiffly, and threatened to fall when attempts were 

 made to lift the former. In purulent arthritis fever usually exists, 

 but is altogether wanting in diseases of the muscles produced in a 

 mechanical way. 



Course and prognosis. Distortion of the neck due to rheumatic 

 disease of the muscles usually disappears in a few days. It often 

 continues only a few hours, although in certain individuals it may 

 recur, and is signalised by great pain, which in dogs causes whimpering 

 or howling. Though torticollis caused by paralysis may disappear 

 in a short time, it sometimes remains for long periods, or even 

 proves incurable. In forming a sound prognosis, it is im- 

 portant to discover the cause of the paralysis. In Moller's 

 practice, cases connected with ear disease have all proved incurable. 

 Paralysis which has occurred suddenly, or existed only a short time, 

 and is due to rheumatic or traumatic causes, may generally be 

 expected to disappear earlier than that which has developed more 

 slowly, or which depends on disease of the central nervous system. In 

 the latter case, prognosis is always doubtful, and is still graver when 

 the condition is complicated with convulsions. On the other hand, 

 distortion of the neck produced by muscular strain is cured in eight 

 to fourteen days, or even earlier. Hertwig emphasises the fact 

 that diagnosis must be cautious during the first few days ; a safe 

 judgment cannot be formed from early appearances ; severe dis- 

 turbances often disappear quickly, whilst apparently slight cases 

 may take an unfavourable course. 



Conditions caused by muscular disease seldom leave any lasting 

 defects, though extensive ruptures may later be recognised by 

 depressions. Schrader found, on the neck of a three-year-old colt, 

 a furrow in which the fist could be laid. After luxations or fractures, 

 cicatricial thickenings are often observed. Harvermann noted these 

 in horses, on the concave side of the diseased neck. An army horse 

 with subluxation of the 3rd and 4th cervical vertebrae again became 

 useful after some months. It is important to note whether the 

 animals can stand and take food ; if not they may die of decubitus, 

 or lose condition and value. As a rule, in such cases slaughter is 

 to be recommended, especially where no considerable improvement 

 has resulted within several days after the attack. 



Treatment of rheumatic torticollis comprises warm coverings, 

 friction with volatile stimulants, and administration of salicylates, 

 potassium iodide, antipyrine, and similar drugs. It is especially 

 desirable to keep the animal standing where distortion depends 



