Treatment of Spinal War Traumatisms.

The author speaks of the importance of rational treatment in cases of wounds of the spine, and gives a detailed account of such wounds.1. Nervous Shock.A more or less pronounced state of nervous shock usually follows spinal traumatism, demanding immediate and methodical treatment.In cases where such condition persists in spite of the treatment, the accompanying factors, hemorrhage, visceral complications, etc., should be diagnosed, and surgical intervention resorted to as soon as possible.2. Visceral, Paraspinal and Vascular Lesions.Patients suffering from joint medullar, pleural and pulmonary lesions should not be kept at C. C. S', s., but submitted to surgical treatment with the least possible delay. Infection.A spinal wound may become infected either by shell splinters, fragment of earth and clothing, or by pathogenic agents from the skin.Purulent meningitis is the most dangerous complication occurring in wounds of the spine.Rapid evacuation of the cases concerned, excision of the wound and removal of foreign bodies, sequestra, etc., are imperative.When primitive suture is impossible, owing to the age or extent of the wound, Carrel's method of disinfection should be applied.