730 CURVATURE OF THE SPINE. 



marked convexity of the spine, extending as far as the third lumbar vertebra. 

 The aorta, which was aneurysmal and had very thin walls, followed this 

 curvature ; the articulation between the last lumbar vertebra and the 

 sacrum showed signs of arthritis. The centres of the intra- vertebral 

 cartilages, between the dorsal and lumbar vertebrae, had disappeared ; 

 their circumferences were ossified, and exostoses existed both in the vertebral 

 canal and on the under surface of the bones. The superior spinous processes 

 of the dorsal vertebrae also showed signs of rarefying ostitis, which had 

 diminished movement. The bodies of the lumbar vertebrae were firmly 

 united by bony material. 



Symptoms and course. Only when the above described changes 

 become greatly developed do they excite attention. The rate of 

 development of lordosis is very varied. When it appears suddenly 

 it may be followed by difficulty in respiration. As a rule, however, 

 it occurs gradually, and only in exceptional cases becomes so well 

 marked as to interfere with the animal's usefulness. Most of the 

 dorsal and lumbar vertebrae are usually involved in the curvature. 

 Where single vertebrae are diseased, flexion develops slowly, whereas 

 that resulting from fracture is of sudden onset. This fact generally 

 enables the nature of the disease to be distinguished. 



Treatment. In animals reduction of displaced vertebrae is seldom 

 possible. The only means (orthopaedia) is difficult and tedious, 

 so that results are robbed of their value by the time and expense 

 involved. Prophylaxis is more important, especially in foals. Up 

 to a certain point lordosis can be prevented, by proper precautions. 

 Young horses with long backs should never be heavily loaded. It 

 is best to give concentrated food, and to place it in low mangers or 

 on the ground. Grazing exercises a beneficial influence, on account 

 of the back having to be bent upwards as the animal crops the grass. 

 Distortion following suppurating ostitis of one or more vertebrae 

 is occasionally seen in animals, including the horse. The first cause 

 is usually a deep-seated abscess, or a wound implicating the vertebral 

 column. Treatment then consists in puncturing the abscess, 

 removing loose fragments of bone, and continuously irrigating the 

 parts with a disinfectant. So long as no signs of paralysis occur 

 there is hope of recovery, though such cases are always prolonged 

 and wearisome. Fractures and luxations may also be responsible 

 for spinal curvature, but as the animals are usually killed, such cases 

 seldom have an opportunity to develop. Finally, disease of the 

 intra-vertebral discs may cause deformity. 



