402 HORSE, SWINE AND POULTRY DISEASES 



produces motor paralysis, disturbance of the circulation, and diffi- 

 culty of movement, an increased sensibility on the side correspond- 

 ing to the compressed section, and a diminished sensibility and some 

 paralysis on the opposite side. When it occurs as a sequence of a 

 preceding inflammatory disease, iodide of potassa 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, traumatic injuries, etc. The blood may 

 escape through the pia mater into the subarachnoid cavity, and 

 large clots be formed. 



Symptoms. The symptoms are largely dependent upon the 

 seat and extent of the hemorrhage, as they are principally due to the 

 compression of the cord. A large clot may produce sudden para- 

 plegia, accompanied by severe pain along the spine; usually, how- 

 ever, the paralysis of both motion and sensation is not very marked 

 at first; on the second or third day. fever is apt to appear, and in- 

 creased 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. 



Treatment. In the occurrence of injuries to the back of a 

 horse, whenever there is any evidence of paralysis, it is always ad- 

 visable 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 doses may be given three times a day. If there is 

 much pain, 5 grains of sulphate of morphia, injected under the skin, 

 will afford relief and lessen the excitability of the animal. In all 

 cases the animal should be kept perfectly quiet. 



SPINAL CONCUSSION. 



This 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 produced 

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

 may produce it. Concussion may be followed by partial paralysis 

 or spinal hemorrhage; generally, however, it is confined to a jarring 

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

 paralytic effect which ensues soon passes off. Treatment consists in 

 rest until the animal has completely recovered from the shock. If 

 secondary effects follow from hemorrhage or compression, they 

 have to be treated as heretofore directed. 



SPINAL TUMORS. 



Within the substance of the cord glioma or the mixed gliosarco- 

 mata are found to be the most frequent, tumors may form from the 

 meninges and the vertebrae, being of a fibrous or bony nature, and 

 affect the spinal cord indirectly by compression. In the meninges 



