Index to the sectional figure of the horse, with remarks on certain properties of his general framing / [Bracy Clark].

  • Bracy Clark
Date:
1813
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Index to the sectional figure of the horse, with remarks on certain properties of his general framing / [Bracy Clark]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    width and firmer support thereby for the operations required of the hind limbs in projecting the body. In respect to the members or pieces composing this bony column, their particularization is not necessary; its leading divisions we shall, however, notice, beginning at the head. The first vertebra 32, bears the name of Atlas in the human skeleton, from its supporting the globe of the head; but in the horse and other quadrupeds it may be said to suspend rather than support it, that the same name will but indifferently apply. 331s the second cervical vertebra, and called in the human Dentator, having angular or tooth-like projections : it is of remarkable length in the horse, the longitudinal crest on its back serving for the strong attachment of the cervical ligament. 34—7 Are the rest of the cervical vertebrae, which number according to that excellent observer John Hunter, obtains in nearly or quite all the families of known quadrupeds. Between the articulations or joints of these vertebrae there is interposed an elastic cartilage, expanding when there is a remission of pressure upon the column of these bones. 38 The first Dorsal Vertebra and commencement of the withers. 39 The last Dorsal Vertebra: their number varies, there being usually eighteen in the horse, sometimes nineteen. 40 The last of the Lumbar Vertebrce ; and over this there appears a remarkable spacebetween two of the Dorsal Apophyses, or upright processes of the vertebrae, which space is occupied only with ligament, or the muscles of the back, and appears given to afford opportunity for the greater flexibility of this part of the spine in turning; and in the lateral movements, it is to be remarked, that the superior branch of the ilium, or haunch bone, is disposed opposite this opening, that strength should not be wanting, and to prevent the danger of dislocation from too violent or sudden lateral distortion. 41 The Os Sacrum. 42 The Os Coccygis, and bones of the tail, diminishing to the extremity, and solid. The ass’s tail is said to have two more bones than the horse’s. We ought not to pass over without noticing it a knob or callous of bone growing to the under- side of the lumbar vertebrae, and situated opposite the articulation or joint, which formation has been the effect of excessive labour, or over proportioned loads to the powers of the animal, inflaming and disordering these bones, and causing them to coalesce by ossific deposit, creating much pain and suffering to the animal. Some horses appear lame behind from these ossi- fications, being in the neighbourhood of the kidneys others have a difficulty in staleing; others in backing with their load appear to suffer excruciating pain; and some cannot be made to attempt it by the severest usage: it may also be observed on careful inspec- tion that four or five of the dorsal vertebrae are in a similar manner knit together by bony deposit, and the joint or separation in these is obliterated. The mare, the subject of this representation, was one of the horses of the Dunstable stage, and was brought to the slaughter- house dead, having very suddenly died, and as was apprehended from being over-driven. The Spinal Marrow, or Chord, a continuation of the white parts of the brain is seen loosely lodged in its canal in the upper parts of the bodies of the vertebrae, sending off branches of nerves to all the parts it is passing through; and this spinal chord has been lately detected to have a hollow canal through its centre by Mr. Sewel. Of the upper Parts of the Neck.—Between the processes of the withers and the cervical vertebrae is a large deep triangular space, filled up chiefly by muscle, but having in the middle F longitudinally
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