DISLOCATED NECK.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 23 June 1925, Page 12

DISLOCATED NECK.

PATIENT RECOVERING

REMARKABLE SOUTHLAND CASE. The other day a London cable announced the unenviable experience ot an eminent Eglish surgeon,, who was saved by his own efforts from probable death as a result of a dislocated neck. A still more unusual ca_se is on record at the Southland Hospital. Seven weeks ago a young man, 19 years ol age, was admitted to the hospital Witir a broken neck. He was partially paralysed, but life was not extinct. I'he doctors spared no effort in saving a life that hung by so feeble a thread. His neck was placed in a specially pre pared splint, and to-day he is on the mad to complete recovery. The almost fatal accident occurred at a football match at Wvndham. A voung player attempted to stop the rush of a heavy forward by bracing his neck muscles and meeting his opponent with head down. The blow struck him on the side of the head and his neck snapped. Ninety-nine times out of a hundred death would have been instantaneous, but this time by a miracle the spinal cord was not severed. It was subject to pressure, and for 20 minutes or so the* unfortunate hoy was completely paralysed. A little more, perhaps just a fraction of an inch, and he would have been dead, but he was rushed to the hospital, and arrived with a fighting change of recovery. The neck was X-rayed. The pressure on the vital cord was relieved, and splints were applied. For a time I'ia arms remained paralysed, but today he has almost recovered. The hospital authorities have taken a great interest in this remarkable case, as the young man has survived what is generally accepted as a fatal injury.