518 Diseases of Joints. 



destruction on the sides, especially on the right. The second 

 and third lumbar vertebrte are comparatively unchanged, bub 

 ujion the right side and back of the fourth lumbar vertebra the 

 bone is rarefied and absorbed. 



Whatever may have been the state of the column above 

 the eleventh dorsal vertebra, the part below it shows a con- 

 dition similar to that seen in the last specimen, namely^ 

 separate seats of tubercular disease, which have as yet not led 

 to much absorption or alteration in the spinal column as a 

 whole. G.C.I 181. 



7. 224. Early Stagre of Tubercular Disease. -Two lumbar 

 vertebrae of a child affected evidently by tuberculosis in an 

 early stage, soft parts removed — in spirit. 



The following is Sir Charles Bell's description : — 

 " This is a specimen of the diseased state of the vertebrae, 

 which precedes the destruction of their bodies, and the con- 

 sequent yielding to the superincumbent weight. There was, in 

 this case, paralysis of the legs, probably in consequence of 

 inllamniation of the bone attacking the spinal marrow ; as there 

 is here no compression of the spinal marrow to account for the 

 paralysis, on mechanical principles, we must suppose it is the- 

 influence of the contiguous inflammation, and not the curvature 

 (.if the spine and pressure of the spinal marrow, which produces 

 paralysis." 



It is now recognised, as succeeding specimens will show, 

 that paralysis in " Potts' Curvature " is very often, if not 

 invariably, caused by mechanical pressure upon the cord or 

 nerves. B. C. 1. 3. M. 49. 



7. 225. Tubercular Disease, causing" Abscess, without Dis- 

 placement. — Last three lumbar vertebrae — partially macer- 

 ated and in spirit, showing disease between the last two lumbar 

 vertebrae. 



