452 VETERINARY COLLEGES, PHILADELPHIA. 
reviewer, that there can he no real and proper luxation of the cervico- 
vertebral bones, without almost instant death to the animal, except, 
indeed, instant aid, and that is almost impossible, is afforded. We 
confess that this is likewise our decided belief. There is no in- 
stance, so far as we are aware, either in human or veterinary sur- 
gery, in which luxation, by violence, between the first cervical 
vertebrae and the occipital bone has occurred. M. Godine stands 
alone with regard to luxation between the first and second verte- 
brae. There was considerable tumefaction of the part — and, without 
this, there was the obliquus capitis inferior covering and laterally 
closing the articulation, and rendering the exploration of the part, 
and the decision as regards the luxation, almost impossible. If, 
however, such a luxation should take place, we can hardly con- 
ceive of it as being otherwise than fatal. The spinal canal will 
be too much diminished at the point of luxation, and the spinal 
marrow fatally compressed. It does not follow that dislocation at 
either of the five last of the vertebrae should be fatal; the vertebral 
canal might not be so far lessened as to cause immediate death. 
Yet there must be rupture of the ligamentous bands, which can 
hardly consist with the future free and perfect action of these 
joints, or which would not, in the great majority of instances, be 
attended with a degree of inflammation, almost necessarily pro- 
pagated to the spinal canal. With the mass of muscle surround- 
ing them, we can hardly conceive of the possibility of sufficient 
power being applied to reduce such a dislocation. Of anchylosis 
there are numerous instances; but we do not remember to have 
seen one case of luxation which continued unreduced. True luxa- 
tion of the cervical vertebrse would generally, although not inva- 
riably, produce death; at all events, it would not yield to our 
inefficient means; and, least of all, would it admit of spontane- 
ous cure. They are spasmodic affections of the muscles of the 
neck, fearful while they last, and easily mistaken for dislocation ; 
but at length yielding to proper medical treatment, or disappearing 
of themselves. 
Y. 
VETERINARY COLLEGES— PHILADELPHIA, 
ALFORT. 
A LITTLE pamphlet, containing an “ Address of the President 
and Fellows of Rittenhouse College,” in Roxborough Township, 
Philadelphia, to the public, was presented to the Veterinary Me- 
dical Association by Dr. Browne, of Philadelphia, through the 
medium of the President. 
