Slozv Compressio7i of Spinal Cord. Paralysis. 177 



The area of nervous disorder points more or less clearly to the 

 seat of the lesion. Early implication of the fore limbs, and then 

 later of the hind, suggests lesion of the cervical region. Dyspnoea 

 tumultuous heart action, or vertigo may coincide. Tardy move- 

 ments of the hind limbs, imperfect balancing, dragging, swaying, 

 knuckling, involuntary flexions of stifle or hock, flexor con- 

 tractions, standing on toe, cramps, paraplegia, indicate lesion in 

 the dorsal or lumbar region. There may be palsy of the rectum, 

 anus, bladder, sphincter vesicae, penis, and vulva. Paralysis or 

 other nervous disorder of the tail and sphincters ani and vesicae, 

 without implication of the hind limbs or quarters, may bespeak 

 lesion in the terminal end of the spinal cord. 



With paralysis of the bladder the penis may be pendent out of 

 the sheath, or being retained witiiin it, the urine may dribble 

 constanth' into and from that cavity, and the vulva ma}' be .soft 

 and flaccid. When the anus is involved, the adjacent part of 

 the rectum usually participates becoming overloaded, the sphincter 

 is soft and lax and allows a constant oozing, and the exposure of 

 the mucosa. The paralytic tail hangs between the thighs, limp 

 and flaccid, and becomes saturated with maiuire and in females 

 with urine. 



Even in the earlier stages the symptoms are usuall}' greatly 

 aggravated by compulsorj' movements like turning in a circle, 

 walking up hill, or (in dogs) up a stair, the arched back, the 

 pendent head, and hesitating planting of the foot suggests walk- 

 ing on pins. For a more exact localization of the lesion the 

 reader may consult the table indicating the functions of the 

 different parts of the spinal cord. The early fatigue under exer- 

 cise grows as in other progressive spinal lesions. 



Treatment. In most cases this is hopeless. Tumors, bony and 

 calcic growths, tubercles, degenerations and absorption of nervous 

 tissue are practically beyond remedy. A blood extra va.sation 

 may be largely absorbed, leaving only the permanent changes in 

 the nervous tissue. In this time is the main element. Actino- 

 m3'co.sis may sometimes be .successfully met by a course of potas- 

 sium iodide, when, if the nervous lesions are slight, a fair re- 

 covery may be secured. In the majority of cases, however, the 

 practitioner is limited to measures for palliation of suffering by 

 atropia, chloral, phenacetin, etc., or by nerve .stimulants like 

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