CONCUSSIOX OF THE CORD. 35? 



almost a necessary sequence that we shall have considerable 

 variety of opinion in the interpretation of such symptoms as 

 are met with in morbid and disturbed conditions of this 

 particular part. Although quite true that what are more 

 properly regarded as surgical lesions, the results of accidents 

 and injuries, figure more largely than aught else, and are more 

 generally recognised as the immediate causes of spinal affec- 

 tions with our patients, still it seems unwise, because incorrect, 

 to shut our eyes to the fact that other causes are ever in 

 operation to destroy the integrity of function and structure 

 here as in other organs. 



I. Concussion of the Cord. 



Although not aware that any who have given their atten- 

 tion to the diseases of our patients have particularly noticed 

 the occurrence of concussion of the cord, I am yet satisfied 

 that such a condition, if not a common one, does occasion- 

 ally occur. The few cases which I believe to have come 

 under my notice have all been in hunting-horses, and have 

 resulted from leaping where the drop was considerable, and 

 the animals apparently were not expecting it. The symptoms 

 of injury Avere manifested at the time by a deficiency of 

 power to move onwards as usual, this being more marked 

 on pulling the horse up and again moving away. In no 

 case did they completely lose the power of their limbs ; but 

 the morning following the appearance of these symptoms, on 

 being led from the stable, a marked stifthess of the loins was 

 noticed, and a want of control over the movements of the hind 

 limbs, to such an extent that the points of the illi — the pro- 

 jections of the haunch — were apt to be brought in contact with 

 the sides of the doorway, and the fetlocks to be knocked 

 against each other. Although, in some cases, the animals 

 might be able to move at a walking-pace in a straight line, the 

 want of control was very obvious when they were pushed into 

 i\ faster pace, or made to turn or move in a backward direction. 

 In a few, pain was exhibited on manipulation being carried out 

 along the dorsal and lumbar spines ; a greater number, how- 

 ever, seemed to suffer from the opposite state — hypsesthesia 

 — and when laid on the ground there was difficulty in rising. 

 That this was not a muscular lesion seemed indicated by the 



