Symptoms. 827 



Kern observed in some cases persistent perspiration and sub- 

 sequently alopecia, Frohner saw white hair appear on the rump of a 

 stallion. 



Hyperesthesia either over the entire body surface or only 

 in the region of certain nerve trunks, may be established either 

 simultaneously with the appearance of the dollar spots or later. 



On account of the increased sensitiveness of the skin, some- 

 times a slight touch or a slight prick on the skin causes the 

 animal to offer opposition, while stroking the back with the 

 fingers causes the patients to groan and depress the back. 



At the same time an increased sensitiveness of certain nerve 

 trunks may be ascertained; thus the animal manifests sharp 

 pains on pressure or stroking over the N. ischiadicus and 

 peroneus, the Nn. intercostales, the N. medianus and infraor- 

 bitalis. As the contraction of certain groups of muscles press 

 or stretch the nerves lying between them a disturbance in their 

 movements results owing to their sensitiveness. The walk of 

 the patients is stiff, they hold one or the other leg more flexed, 

 especially on trotting and galloping, also during quick tiirns 

 and therefore evince lameness. If the animal stands still it 

 periodically raises a foot spasmodically, as if tortured by 

 lancinating pains, and holds it high for a while trembling. 

 Similar manifestations are observed when the animal starts 

 to move and during passage of the bowels. These spasms occur 

 more frequently during nighttime than during the day and are 

 sometimes observed wdien the animal is lying down. In some 

 animals a sudden lameness sets in, which however disappears 

 after a few days. On account of the sensitiveness of the inter- 

 costal nerves the respiration is accelerated and superficial, 

 while owing to irritation of the vagus nerve, the patients cough 

 periodically. 



The increased sensibility gradually passes into a hyperes- 

 thesia, exceptionally into a complete anesthesia, and as a rule 

 paralysis of certain motor nerves appears in the meantime. 

 This is observed in almost every case in the hind extremities, 

 quite frequently in some of the facial nerves, especially the 

 N. facialis, while the nerves of the anterior extremities, and 

 those in other parts of the body are but rarely affected. 



The s^miptoms of paralysis are usually not even on both 

 sides of tiie body. On the head they are almost invariably 

 unilateral. As a result of paralysis of the nerves on the pos- 

 terior extremities, the animals show a staggering gait, wdiich 

 is noticeable while walking in a straight direction, but more 

 so while walking in a circle. On trotting they hold the hind 

 legs spread apart or drag them with the flexed hock on the 

 ground; when halted they usually knuckle (Fig. 147). The 

 paralyses of certain nerves of the head are manifested in cor- 

 responding disturbances of motion and in distortions. Accord- 

 ing to Lorenz and Frohner a peripheral recurrens-paralysis 



