156 Veterinary Medicine. 



limbs, usually implies the absence of meningeal inflammation. 

 It may, however, occur in localized or commencing myelitis. 

 The existence of unilateral lesions and rigidity determines intense 

 lameness, which is further characterized by the most marked 

 hypersesthesia. 



The morbid phenomena of the motor system are more 

 characteristically paretic or paralytic than spasmodic. When 

 rigidity or spasm ushers in the attack it is superseded in a few 

 hours or in two or three days b}' flaccidity of the muscles of the 

 affected part, with imperfect control or even complete paralysis. 

 The muscles affected will depend on the seat of the spinal lesion. 

 If in the neck it may affect fore and hind limbs, and even the 

 chest and abdomen ; if in the back or loins it will induce para- 

 plegia, the anterior limit of which will correspond to the seat of 

 the lesion ; if near the caudal extremity of the cord, (lumbar 

 portion), paralysis of the tail and of the sphincters ani and 

 vesicas may be prominent features. Retention of urine and faeces 

 (spasm) may precede incontinence (palsy). 



Common sensation may be dull or abolished on one or on 

 both sides. If on one side only, the other may show hyper- 

 aesthesia. 



Trophic modifications are very marked though they may 

 not be noticeable at first. The paralytic muscles waste rapidly 

 and the impaired nutrition is manifested in the rapid formation of 

 sloughing and intractable sores where pressure comes in recum- 

 bency (the hips, stifles, hocks, shoulders, etc.). This is 

 especially noticeable on parts supplied by the cord at or behind 

 the seat of the lesions. 



Vaso-motor changes are usually marked by a preliminar}^ 

 hyperthermia of the affected parts, followed by a corresponding 

 hypothermia. Sometimes the affected part of the skin will re- 

 main quite dry while the rest of the body is covered by perspira- 

 tion. 



Choked optic disc and retinitis are .sometimes present. 



Tlie febrile reaction which is at first moderate, gradually in- 

 creases in force ; the animals become dull, drowsy, careless of 

 food, and the hypersesthesia merges into paresis or paralysis. 

 This is rarely so complete as in fracture of the vertebrae. If the 

 inflammation is restricted to the lower columns only, there may be 



