DISLOCATION OF THE CERVICAL VERTEBRAE. 
141 
moving the latter. These symptoms continued; and having fallen on t ie 
twenty-second day, the horse was unable to rise again, and died three days 
later. * Post-mortem showed formation of callus on the broken wings, am 
inflammatory processes in the meninges of the medulla oblongata. / co\\ 
whose horns had become fast in an iron rack was found unable to stand, to 
move the head, or to eat. Post-mortem discovered fracture of the second 
cervical vertebra, and bleeding into the vertebral canal. 
During the year 1891 the following vertebral fractures were noted amongst 
the Prussian army horsesThirty cervical fractures, six dorsal, and seven 
lumbar. 
Injuries to the spinal cord in man are generally accompanied by 
abnormal rise in temperature, reaching 48 to 44 centigrade; but in 
animals no observations are available on this point. 
The course of the disease is, then, similar to that in man, although 
in him death occurs somewhat later, because the medulla oblongata or 
the spinal cord is not so often injured. Displacement of the pieces of 
bone, bleeding into the spinal canal, or inflammatory processes generally 
disturb the function of the spinal cord later, and bring about death. In 
fractures of the 3rd to 6th cervical vertebrae, death usually occurs imme¬ 
diately, with appearances of suffocation. As the diaphragmatic nerve is 
formed by the 5th, 6th, and 7th cervical nerves, its action is soon 
destroyed in fractures of the last cervical vertebrae, and asphyxia must 
necessarily result. If the fracture is confined to one or other of the 
vertebral processes, the animal may live for a time, or even recover.. 
Treatment of fracture of the body of a vertebra is usually impossible, 
because death is almost immediate. Otherwise, especially in animals 
worthless for slaughter, it is of the first importance to prevent displace¬ 
ment of the broken fragments. Where such a fracture, oi one affecting 
any of the processes, is believed to exist, the animal is placed in a con¬ 
dition of absolute rest, and measures adopted to prevent, as. far as 
possible, all movements of the head and neck. If soft parts.are injured, 
antiseptic methods must be employed to prevent pus formation, necrosis 
and spread of inflammatory processes.. 
Complete displacement of the cervical vertebrae, said to occur m the 
horse, may here be mentioned. As it usually causes immediate death, 
there ? is seldom opportunity for a precise diagnosis. Conditions described 
as luxations of the vertebrae have doubtless often been merely fractures. 
This is true of a case described by Vives. A mule, which shortly before had 
been actively galloping about, was observed standing immovable, with head 
sunk, extended, and turned to the left. Attempts to lift the head produced 
much pain, the neck was swollen, and the occipital region distorted. The 
right wing of the atlas extended further forward than usual; the left could 
not be felt. Next day severe swelling of the head had set in. On the 
thirty-fifth day the condition remained essentially the same. 
