314 DISEASES OF THE HOKSE. 



is quite as likely to be caused by the violent resistance and the con- 

 sequent powerful muscular contraction by the frightened patient. 

 The simple fact of the overarching of the vertebral column, with 

 excessive pressure against it -from the intestinal mass, owing to the 

 spasmodic action of the abdominal muscles, 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 

 anesthesia. 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 processes of the last-named 

 bones are injured, it is probably in consequence of the heavy concus- 

 sion incident to striking the ground when cast. The diagnosis of a 

 fracture of the body of a vertebra is not always easy, especially when 

 quite recent, and more especially when there is no accompanying 

 displacement. 



Symptoms. — There are certain peculiar signs accompanying the 

 occurrence of the accident while 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 perspiration, particularly between the hind legs, and fre- 

 quently there will be micturition and defecation. Careful examina- 

 tion of the vertebral column may then detect a slight depression or 

 irregularity in the direction of the spine, and there may be a diminu- 

 tion or loss of sensation in the posterior part of the trunk, while the 

 anterior portion 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 perhaps succeed in rising and 

 probably may 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 

 paralysis is complete, and the extension of the meningitis, which has 

 become established, is a consummation soon reached. 



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

 always serious is to speak very mildly. It would be better, perhaps, 

 to say that occasionally a case may recover. Fractures of the trans- 

 verse processes are less serious. 



Treatment. — Instead of stating the indication in this class of cases 

 as if assuming them to be amenable to treatment, the question natur- 



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