Trauma may produce a myelopathy by: (1) a direct injury to the cord proper by the traumatizing agent; (2) compression of the cord and its vessels (by a bullet, fractured or dislocated vertebrae, hemorrhages, etc.), with secondary circulatory interference, and (3) concussion of the cord.
REPORT OF CASES
Case 1.
—P. J. C., a man, aged 26, was admitted to the Broad Street Hospital on Dec. 16, 1925, immediately after having been shot in the right axilla. He was in shock from a hemorrhage in the axilla. Roentgen examination showed a fracture of the fourth rib. The point of exit of the bullet was below the angle of the left scapula. Twenty hours later, there appeared harsh breathing over the apexes of both lungs, with subcutaneous emphysema over the left side of the chest.
Neurologic Examination.
—There were complete flaccid paraplegia, with absent knee and ankle jerks, no pathologic reflexes,