INJURIES OF THE SPINAL CORD,

Abstract

It is my purpose to deal with injuries of the spinal cord secondary to external violence, such as gunshot wounds, fracture-dislocation of the spinal column with involvement of the cord, and involvement of the cord in spinal concussion without spinal lesion. At this time I shall not discuss injuries of the cord from stab wounds. There are a few points concerning the anatomy of the spinal column to which I wish to call attention before discussing any cases of fracture-dislocation. From our standpoint, the spinal column consists of twenty-four true vertebrae. The sacrum, which is morphologically five vertebrae, we consider in the light of a single bone. Of the coccyx I shall say very little, as it is interesting, chiefly, on account of a possibly faulty ankylosis in cases of fracture or contusion. The ligaments of the spinal column, next to the bony conformation of the vertebrae themselves, play the