307 



may account for it, and so also may the struggles of the animal to 

 escape from the restraint of the hobbles while frantic under the pain of 

 an operation without auiesthesia. In these cases the fracture usually 

 occurs in the body or the annular part, or both, of the posterior dorsal 

 or the anterior lumbar vertebra. When the transverse i)rocesses of 

 the last-named bones are injured, it is probably iu consequence of the 

 heavy concussion incident to striking the ground when cast. The diag- 

 nosis of a fracture of the body of a vertebra is not always easy, csi^e- 

 ciall3" when quite recent, and more especially when there is no accom- 

 j)anyiug displacement. Tliere are certain peculiar signs accompanying 

 the occurrence of the accident ^^vhile an operation is in progress which 

 should at once excite the suspicion of the surgeon. In the midst of a 

 violent struggle the patient becomes suddenly quiet ; the movement of 

 a sharp instrument which at first excited his resistance fails to give 

 rise to any further evidence of sensation ; perhaps a general trembling, 

 lasting for a few minutes, will follow, succeeded by a cold, profuse per- 

 spiration, particularly between the hind legs, and frequently there will 

 be micturition and defecation. Careful examination of the vertebral 

 column may then detect a slight depression or irregularity iu the direc- 

 tion of the spine, and there may be a diminution or loss of sensation in 

 the posterior part of the trunk while the anterior i:)ortion continues to 

 be as sensitive as before. In making an attempt to get upon his feet, 

 however, upon the removal of the hobbles, only the fore part of the 

 body will respond to the effort, a degree of paraplegia being present, 

 and while the head, neck, and fore part of the body will be raised, the 

 hind quarters and hind legs will remain inert. The animal may per- 

 haps succeed in rising and jn^obably maj' be removed to his stall, but 

 the displacement of the bone will follow, converting the fracture into 

 one of the complete kind, either through the exertion of walking or by 

 a renewed attempt to rise after another fall, before reaching his stall. 

 By this time the i)aralysis is complete, and the extension of the menin- 

 gitis which has become established is a consummation soon reached. 



To say that the prognosis of fracture of the body of the vertebrae is 

 always serious is to speak very mildly. It were better perhaps to say 

 that occasionally a case may recover. Fractures of the transverse pro- 

 cesses are less serious. 



Instead of stating the indication in this class of cases, as if assuming 

 them to be medicable, the question naturally becomes rather a query: 

 "Can any treatment be recommended in a fracture of the body of a 

 vertebra?" The only indication iu such a case, in our opinion, is to 

 reach the true diagnosis in the shortest jjossible time and to act ac- 

 cordingly. If there is displacement, and the existence of serious le- 

 sions may be inferred from the nervous symptoms, the destruction of 

 the suffering animal appears to suggest itself as the one conclusion in 

 which considerations of policy, humanity, and science at once unite. 



If, however, it is fairly evident that no displacement exists ; that 



