DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. 235 



Treatm^'tit. — AVheii it ocviirs as a .sequence of a precedin*; inflam- 

 matory ilisease, iodid of i)otassium and general tonics are indicated. 

 When due to tumors growing within the spinal canal, or to pressure 

 from displaced bone, no form of treatment will result in any benefit. 



SPINAL HEMORRHAGE. 



This may occur from changes in the wall of the blood vessels, in 

 connection with tumors, acute myelitis, traumatic injuries, etc. The 

 blood nuiy escape through the pia mater into the subarachnoid cavity, 

 and large clots be formed. 



Si/mpfams. — The symptoms are largely dependent upon the seat 

 and extent of the hemorrhage, as they are princii)ally owing to 

 the compression of the cord. A large clot may jiroduce sudden 

 paraplegia, accompajiied with .severe pain along the spine; usually, 

 however, the paralysis of both motion and sensation is not very 

 marked at first; on the second or third day fever is liable to appear, 

 and increased or diminished sensibility along the .spine posterior 

 to the seat of the clot. When the bladder and rectum are involved 

 in the symptoms it indicates that the spinal cord is compressed. 



Tnatmcnt. — In the occurrence of injuries to the back of a hor.se, 

 whenever there is any evidence of paralysis, it is always advisable to 

 apply bags of ice along the spine to check or prevent hemorrhage 

 or congestion, and '2 drams of the fluid extract of ergot and 20 drops 

 of tincture of digitalis may be given every hour until three doses 

 have been taken. Subsequently tincture of belladonna in half-ounce 

 do.sos may be given three tiuies a day. If there is much pain. 5 grains 

 of sulphate of morphia, injected under the skin, will atl'ord relief 

 and lessen the excitability of the animal. In all cases the animal 

 should be kept perfectly quiet. 



SPINAL CONCUSSION. 



Tliis is rarely observed in the horse, and unless it is sufficiently 

 severe to produce well-marked symptoms it would not be suspected. 

 It may occur in saddle horses from jumping, or it may be pro- 

 duced by falling over an embankment, or a violent fall upon the 

 haunches may produce it. Concussion may be followed by partial 

 ])aralysis or spinal hemoiThage; generally, however, it is confined to 

 a jarring and some disturbance of the nerve elements of the cord, 

 and the paralytic effect which en.sues soon pa.s.ses off. Treatment 

 con.sists in rest tmtil the aniuial has completely recovered fiom the 

 shock. If secondary effects follow from hemorrhage or compression, 

 thev have to be treated as heretofore directed. 



