Paraplegia as a Sequel of Canine 

 Distemper. 



This condition, following on severe and prolonged 

 attacks of distemper is seen frequently. Its treatment 

 embraces a great variety of unsuccessful therapeutics 

 and, as a rule, veterinarians have been in the habit of 

 ordering the destruction of the dog when this sequel 

 supervened on a case of distemper. 



Our experience with this affection was very dis- 

 couraging up until the year of 1909, when a series of 

 studies and experiments, resulted in the elaboration of 

 a very satisfactory treatment. 



Our first success with this treatment was reported 

 in the American Veterinary Review in that year by my 

 brother,, a student at the time, and myself. 



Our theory of this condition as formulated at that 

 time was that a sclerotic tendency is present in the 

 spinal cord, varying in degree with the severity of the 

 symptoms of paresis. Whether the theory is correct 

 or not is immaterial ; the treatment which we based 

 upon this theory was successful and to a certain ex- 

 tent that proves the theory. 



On this hypothesis, we decided that if we could 

 place a bland and at the same time fibrolytic agent in 

 more or less intimate contact with the spinal cord, we 

 could correct the abnormality. 



