Equations are obtained for the longitudinal and transverse oscillations of a prismatic rod that differ from the standard equations of structural mechanics (strength of materials). The difference lies both in the appearance of new terms in the equations of motion corresponding to the Timoshenko theory, and in a refinement of the boundary conditions and the conditions on the rigidity of the rod for transverse oscillations. The oscillations of a vertical cantilevered rod when its base moves horizontally from a state of rest are examined and a comparison is made with the classical theory of transverse (bending) oscillations of prismatic rods.