FRACTURE OF THE SKULL. 7 



often the part struck ; and that nature has so defended those parts of 

 it likely to be so, that, as was observed before, a blow must be very 

 severe indeed to have the effect of fracturing them. The common 

 and almost only accident of the kind we meet with, is fracture of 

 the basis of the skull ; and the way in which it occurs is this : — the 

 horse either is pulled or falls backward ; the vertex or summit of the 

 head receives the blow, the shock or force of which is transmitted to 

 the basilary process at the base of the skull, and that, from its com- 

 paratively insubstantial fragile nature, being the weakest part, 

 becomes the part broken. In very severe falls of this kind, the 

 condyloid processes of the occipital bone, also in a situation to 

 receive the impetus of the shock, in like manner, though com- 

 paratively substantial and strong in their composition, sustain frac- 

 ture. It is not the fracture, however, that is to be dreaded in these 

 cases so much as the consequences of it, hemorrhage in particular, 

 together with the effects of the tremendous concussion which in 

 general attends such a fall. 



Bloodvessels will be liable to give way in any part of the brain ; 

 those, numerous and large, about the base, contiguous to the seat of 

 fracture, will be almost sure to become ruptured. The symptoms 

 will of course vary in their nature and intensity with the kind 

 and degree of the mischief done ; the faculties of motion and 

 sensation will be more or less impaired, should not death itself 

 immediately result ; the senses also, one or more, will probably be 

 lost or disturbed. By the parts affected, and by the extent to 

 which they are affected, must we form our opinion of the nature 

 of the case, as well as our prognosis. Indeed, in respect to the 

 latter, that in general is but too evident. Commonly, the animal 

 is found down, unable either to rise or stand without assistance. 

 Should he still retain feeling, and be in possession of his senses, 

 and. there be means nigh or at hand of treating him, remedies 

 may be tried upon him ; but when he has to be removed upon 

 some drag or carriage to any distance, he will in general do him- 

 self so much more mischief by struggling before he has arrived at 

 his place of destination, that his case will probably be rendered 

 yet more hopeless than it was in the first instance: fresh he- 

 morrhage will be likely to ensue, and may prove fatal, even when, 



