REPORTS OF CASES. 
19 
science, the more so, as it is of very rare occurrence. For these rea¬ 
sons I desire to lay it before the readers of your valuable paper. 
A heavy, valuable mule was found one morning laying down 
in her stall with the hind left postern caught in the halter-strap; 
the head was pulled backwards to near the point of the shoulder, 
and after the halter was made loose, it was discovered that the 
mnle could not straighten the neck nor get on her legs without 
assistance. 
Before progressing further in the description of this case, I 
wish to state that the proprietors, doing an extensive lumber 
business, had lost all confidence in veterinary surgeons on account 
of the misdoings of a quack doctor who had charge of their horses 
for several years, so much, that for over a year no horse had been 
subjected to a regular treatment in the stable. Thus it was that 
this mule was left without any professional assistance for eight 
days, when they concluded to destroy her. But other parties 
told them that I was a graduate veterinarian who had been here 
only a short time, and advised them to give me a trial. I an¬ 
swered their call and found the mule in the following condition : 
The head was turned to the left side, one eye looking forward, 
the other backward, the nose being held lower than the knees ; 
mule unable to raise the head higher than the point of the 
shoulder, even with assistance ; any effort made to raise the head 
or straighten the neck was painful and caused the animal to move 
backwards. The right side of the neck showed a hard prominent 
swelling, corresponding to the last four cervical vertebras, while 
on the left side a deep excavation was found, extending from the 
third vertebrae to the space between the first two costal ribs. 
When left alone, the mule turned around in a circle, moving 
always to the left ; when led straight forwards, she moved the 
left leg freely, but the right leg made a very short step, and at 
every 15 to 20 steps the animal wanted to stop. I was further¬ 
more informed by the stableman that most every night the mule 
laid down, but could not get up without help. I stated to the 
proprietors that the mule had a luxation of the last four vertebrae 
of the neck, and the same must be reduced by a very powerful 
action calculated to counteract the contracting efforts of the 
