ACUTE SPINAL TNFLAMMATIOX. CGI 



constitutional distnrbance and excitement may continue for 

 some hours, seldom exceeding twelve, when, partly from pain 

 and exhaustion, but more probably because irritation of nervous 

 matter has been succeeded by its destruction, our patient falls 

 to the ground. In the recumbent position there may at first 

 be apparent relief, the muscular spasms, however, often return ; 

 and in fatal cases steadily increase in frequency and severity 

 until the power of movement is gone. 



During all this time the animal is extremely sensitive to the 

 approach of anyone, seeming to dread being touched ; and, 

 although sensation is very much impaired in the limbs, appears, 

 by his expression, to suffer acutely elsewhere. 



With the occurrence of these symptoms of disturbed motor 

 and sensory functions, Avhich are, of course, the most charac- 

 teristic, there are others more or less attractive. In the more 

 severe cases the appetite is much impaired, or wanting 

 altogether, although both gruel and water may continue to be 

 partaken of freel}^ The pulse is accelerated and hard, the tem- 

 perature elevated, and the respirations tumultuous. The bowels 

 are irregular, and the urine voided is often altered both physi- 

 cally and chemically. 



In other cases Ave fail to observe any symptoms of ilhiess 

 until our attention is arrested by the sudden and unexpected 

 interference with the powers of locomotion, thus serving to 

 indicate that the diseased condition is fairly established ere we 

 are aware of its existence. In such instances the impairment 

 of motor-power is very rapidly progressive, an hour or tAvo 

 being sufficient to incapacitate the animal from miaintaining a 

 standing position, or to return to that if laid on the ground. 

 Although paralysis may have been the first developed and 

 most prominent symptom, the probability is that folloAving this 

 at a very short interval Avill be muscular spasms, Avhich are, 

 hoAvever, neither so severe nor so long continued as in those 

 cases Avhere they are the earliest observed phenomena. In 

 the majority of the cases thus affected, sensation is rarely ever 

 entirely destroyed, pain being felt on pricking the limb or tail, 

 as indicated by the putting forth of a certain amount of effort 

 to remove the part interfered Avith from the irritation. 



Whenever the appetite is destroyed and the pulse much 

 altered, Avith other symptoms of constitutional disturbance, 



