728 CURVATURE OF THE SPINE. 



of the rectum, consequent on displacement between the first caudal 

 and last sacral vertebrae, recovered completely (Harms). Fractures 

 of the upper caudal vertebrae may also cause deformity and limitation 

 of movement in the tail. Moller saw a calf in which, in consequence 

 of fracture, the tail was twisted to one side and could no longer be 

 freely moved. Compound fractures of the tail vertebrae are readily 

 followed by necrosis ; this always happens when the vertebrae are 

 crushed ; the tail then feels cold, showing that the blood-vessels 

 are obstructed. Permanent paralysis is another frequent consequence, 

 and is especially troublesome, because the tail becomes soiled by the 

 faeces, and in cows by the urine. 



An army horse, the subject of fracture between the fourth and fifth 

 sacral vertebrae, showed a swelling as large as a man's fist over the sacrum, 

 and suffered from rolling gait, paralysis of the tail, and difficulty in passing 

 faeces. After five weeks' rest in slings, the swelling increased to the size 

 of a child's head, and became harder ; seven months later the animal 

 could carry a light rider ; but as sacral paralysis gradually set in, the 

 animal had finally to be killed. Post-mortem examination revealed the 

 presence of a callus as large as a child's head, and fresh bleeding into the 

 vertebral canal. 



Treatment. Treatment is seldom justifiable in fracture of the 

 sacrum accompanied by complete paralysis,, but in other cases the 

 rectum and bladder must be frequently emptied. In repeatedly 

 using the catheter, the precautions recommended under "Diseases of 

 the Urinary Organs " must be borne in mind. 



Fractures of the caudal vertebrae, with severe local bruising or 

 crushing, necessitate amputation of the tail ; in compound fracture 

 it is generally the quickest method of cure. Only in valuable horses 

 is it worth while resorting to antisepsis or the application of dressings. 



III.— CURVATURE OF THE SPINE. 



The most frequent form of this disease is hollow-back, a condition 

 known as lordosis. 1 Curvature upwards is called kyphosis, 2 and 

 towards the side skoliosis. 3 Simultaneous curvature upwards and 

 sideways is termed kypho-skoliosis. 



One class of these abnormalities arises during intra-uterine life. 

 Animals born crippled are generally at once killed. Marked 

 curvature of the spine, immediately after birth, has been often seen 

 in pigs ; Rehrs noticed curvatures (hump-back) in rickets. Pigs 



(*) A6p5w0-£s=curvature. 

 (2) Ki''0aKTts=crookedness. 

 ( :( ) cKoA<W(S=crookedness. 



