Infectious Paraplegia of Solipeds in Europe. 541 



dition of the penis, which in its turn may be irregularly reddened 

 and swollen, and the papilla and orifice of the urethra are deep 

 red and angry. 



Most commonly these early local symptoms are overlooked 

 until attention is drawn by some lack of control of the hind quar- 

 ters. When moved the animal sways or staggers behind, 

 knuckles forward at the fetlocks and drags the toe along the 

 ground. This weakness encreases, and although for a time the 

 animal can stand steadily, he is liable to fall when we make him 

 take a step, and when down he will require help to get up. In 

 advanced stages the animal remains recumbent and cannot be 

 made to stand even with help, the fore limbs have become impli- 

 cated in the paralysis, and in the end the respiratory muscles are 

 involved and the patient dies asphyxiated. This marks the oc- 

 currence of severe lesions in the medulla oblongata. Incontinence 

 of urine is a frequent symptom. Fever usually sets in, in ad- 

 vanced cases. Recoveries may take place from the first and sec- 

 ond stages, the control of the muscular system improves, the 

 animal lies down and rises with greater ease, the drooping penis 

 is retracted within the sheath, incontinence of urine ceases, 

 micturition becoming less frequent and more abundant at a time, 

 and finally muscular control becomes once more perfect. Conva- 

 lescence may be complete in eight days if it begins early, while it 

 may require two or three months when the disease has been more 

 advanced. 



Some subjects survive without overcoming the paralysis, so 

 that they simply eat their heads off if preserved. 



Diagnosis. From hasmoglobinuria this disease is to be distin- 

 guished by the history which fails to show its supervention on a 

 period of hard work and high feeding, followed by one or more 

 days of rest and then sudden exercise ; by the swelling ecchymo- 

 sis and discharge from the vulva or sheath, and by the occurrence 

 of several cases in animals that have had an opportunity for a 

 common infection. In case of death the condition of the kidney, 

 bladder and urethra, and the marked congestion of the lumbar 

 portion of the cord is significant, the congestion, petechise and 

 extravasations are deeper and the glairy discharge is present. 



Prognosis. From one-fourth to a third of the animals attacked 

 either die or are rendered permanently useless. 



