276 DISEASES OF OATTLE. 



ration of the spinal cord, causing paralysis of all parts posterior to the 

 seat of injury. Fractures of the prominences on the vertebra occasion- 

 ally occur without interfering with the canal in which the spinal cord 

 is located. Such accidents are likely to pass unnoticed, for, although 

 the animal may suffer considerable pain, it is not likely to be mani- 

 fested in such a way as to attract attention, and the deep covering of 

 muscles serves to effectually conceal the injury. When the fracture 

 occurs in the upper part of the neck, paralysis of the muscles used in 

 respiration must result, and death from asphyxia 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 irregu- 

 larities of shape which would otherwise be likely to attract attention. 

 About the only reliable symptom is paralysis or loss of use and sensa- 

 tion 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 impor- 

 tant 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 be made as comfortable 

 as possible by being placed in a well-bedded box stall and a few 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 which 

 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 (symphysis 

 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 whole 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 vio- 

 lently, 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 imme- 

 diately go stiff behind, the legs being spread apart. Further examina- 

 tion may be made by introducing the hand, previously carefully oiled, 

 into the rectum or vagina and pressing down along the central line, 



