Part 48
In curvatures forward of the vertebrae from a fall, or from some heavy
body falling upon them, in general no one of them is displaced far
beyond the others, but if one or more be so displaced, the case proves
fatal; but, not withstanding, as formerly stated, the displacement
is circular, and not angular. In such cases, then, the urine and faeces
are more apt to be retained than in displacement outward, the feet
and the whole inferior extremities are colder, and the symptoms are
more fatal than in the former case; and if they do survive, they are
more subject to retention of the urine, and to loss of strength, and
to torpor in their legs. But if the displacement be in the upper part,
they experience loss of strength and torpor of the whole body. I know
no mechanical contrivance by which such a displacement could be reduced,
unless that one might be benefited by succussion on a bladder, or
any other similar plan of treatment, such as extension, as formerly
described. I am not aware of any mode of pressure which might be applied
along with the extension, like that of the board in displacement backward;
for how could one apply pressure from before through the belly? (
internal
cavity?) The thing is impossible. But neither coughing nor sneezing
has any power so as to cooperate with the extension, nor would the
injection of air into the bowels have any effect. And to apply large
cupping instruments with the view of drawing back the vertebrae which
have protruded forward, shows a great error of judgment; for they
rather propel than attract, and those who apply them are not aware
even of this fact, for the greater will be the inclination forward
the greater the instrument applied, the skin being forcibly drawn
into the cupping-instrument. I could tell of other modes of succussion
than those formerly described, which one might fancy would be more
applicable in such an affection; but I have no great confidence in
them, and therefore I do not describe them. On the main, it should
be known, respecting the accidents which I have briefly described,
that displacements forward are of a fatal and injurious nature; but
that displacements backward,
[p. 247]for the most part, do not prove fatal,
nor occasion retention of urine nor torpor of the limbs, for they
do not stretch the ducts leading toward the intestines, nor occasion
obstruction of the same; but displacements forward produce both these
bad effects, and many others in addition. And truly they are more
apt to lose the power of their legs and arms, to have torpor of the
body, and retention of urine, who experience no displacement either
forward or backward, but merely a violent concussion along the spine,
while those who have displacement backward are least subject to these
symptoms.
