69: 



Inflammation of the Spinal Cord. 



peripheral paralysis is only recognizable in cases in which the 

 inflammation is somewhat extensive; not rarely only the cen- 

 tral paralysis is observed. The anterior limit of the area that 

 is devoid of sensation coincides with the anterior limit of the 

 inflammation, bnt it appears to be displaced a little posterior- 

 ly owing to the distribution of the sensory nerves, the displace- 

 ment being greater the more posteriorly placed the inflamma- 

 tory lesion is. The numbed area is generally separated from 

 tlie normal tissues by a zone of varying width that is in a con- 

 dition of hyperesthesia. 



The sensory and motor disturbances reach their maximum 

 after some hours, days, or even weeks. At first, the only symp- 

 tom is that the animals tire rapidly, they lie down frequently 



and remain lying for 



long periods, and rise 

 with difficulty. Very 

 soon the gait becomes 



trailing, the joints of 



I the limbs give way and 



\ are placed sometimes 



in positions of abduc- 

 tion and sometimes in 

 positions of adduction. 

 The body is not brought 

 forward sufficiently and 

 sways about. After a 

 time there is complete 

 paralysis. When this 

 lias occurred, the animal 

 can no longer get up or 

 move his limbs. Small 

 animals drag the hind 

 quarters along on the 

 extended hind legs (fig. 

 98), provided the seat 

 of the inflammation be 

 posterior to the cervical 

 thickening of the cord. 

 When the myelitis transversalis develops rapidly, the muscles 

 of the paralyzed parts of the body are relaxed, but if the course 

 of the inflammation be slower, there is a certain amount of 

 muscular rigidity in those parts of the body that are posterior 

 to the seat of disease. 



The tendon and skin reflexes in those parts of the body 

 that are involved in the supra-nuclear paralysis, are as a rule, 

 exaggerated. But if the myelitis be more extensive, the re- 

 flexes at the anterior limit of the paralyzed area are either 

 reduced or completely absent. The muscles in this area re- 

 spond to a sudden blow with a slow and sluggish contraction 



Fig. 98. Spinal meningitis with complete p 

 ralysis of the hind (punters. 



