FEACTUKES. 



237 



FIS. aea—Fraoture of the Axis in an Animal Suffering witH Oeteo-Porosls. 



moved to Ms staU, but the displacement of the bone wiU foUow, 

 converting the fracture into one of the complete kind, either 

 through the exertion of walking or by a renewed attempt to rise 

 after another faU, before reaching his staU. 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 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 processes are less serious. 



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

 assuming them to be medicable, the question natiu-ally becomes 

 rather a query : " Can any treatment be recommended in a fracture 

 of the body of a vertebra?" The only indication in such a case, 

 in our opinion, is to reach the true diagnosis ia the shortest pos- 

 sible time and to act accordingly. If there is displacement, and 

 the existence of serious lesions may be inferred from the nervous 

 symptoms, the destruction of the suffering animal appears to sug- 

 gest itself as the one conclusion in which considerations of ]3oUcy, 

 humanity, and science at once unite. 



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

 that pressure upon the spinal cord is not yet present ; that the 

 animal with a little assistance is able to rise upon his feet and to 

 walk a short distance, it may be well to experiment upon the case 

 to the extent of placing the patient in the most favorable circum- 

 stances for recovery, and allow nature to operate without further 

 interference. This may be accomplished by securing immobility 



