bones: diseases and accidents. 285 



very shortly ensues. The more common accident is to the loins, and 

 when a fracture of the body of the vertebra occurs in this region so 

 as to produce pressure on the spinal cord, paralysis of the hind legs 

 and quarters is the result. Diagnosis of such an accident is more 

 difficult than in the case of any other fracture. The parts can not 

 be moved one upon another so that crepitus is noticeable. The heavy 

 coating of muscles conceals irregularities of shape which would other- 

 wise be likely to attract attention. About the only reliable symptom 

 is paralysis or loss of use and sensation of the parts posterior to the 

 injury. Careful examination may reveal the seat of the injury. If 

 it was the result of a blow, there is likely to be some abrasion of the 

 skin. The diagnosis is only important as an aid in determining the 

 proper course to pursue. 



If paralysis is present and a depression or irregularity of the spinal 

 column is so apparent as to leave no doubt of the existence of a 

 fracture, the only alternative is to destroy the animal, for of recovery 

 there can be no hope. If, on the other hand, the paralysis is incom- 

 plete and there is no depression or irregularity of the spinal column 

 or other evidence of fracture, the patient should 1^ made as com- 

 fortable as possi])le by being placed in a well-loedded box stall and 

 a fcAv days permitted to elapse before the case is abandoned. The 

 symptoms last described might possibly be the result of a severe strain 

 of the muscles of the loins, in which case an improvement will soon 

 be noticeable. 



Fractures of the pelvis, — The pelvis, or bony framework Avhich 

 gives shape to the posterior part of the body, is liable to fracture in 

 many ways. A common one is by a separation of the two bones which 

 constitute the whole pelvis along the bottom and center line (sym- 

 physis pubis). In early life the two bones are separate and distinct. 

 The union between them, which is at first cartilaginous, undergoes a 

 change and is converted into bone, so that in adult life the Avhole 

 pelvis is practically one bone. The point on which the two bones are 

 united is weaker than the adjoining parts of the bone. When an 

 animal slips violently, spreading the legs wide apart, the weaker 

 materials give way and the bones are divided. If the accident is 

 noticed when it occurs, it is likely to throw light on the nature of 

 the injury. The animal will immediately go stiff behind, the legs 

 l>eing spread apart. Further examination may be made by introduc- 

 ing the hand, previously carefully oiled, into the rectum or vagina 

 and pressing down along the central line, which will cause the patient 

 to evince acute pain. In this case no appliance can be used to advan- 

 tage. The animal should be tied in a stall until the parts become 

 reunited and the lameness disappears. 



Fracture of the posterior parts of the bone (ischium) which forms 

 the point of the buttocks occasionally occurs. The buttock on the 



