Symptoms. Prognosis. 797 



a trauma. In a considerable number of cases the causes re- 

 mained unknown (as for instance in cases described as chorea 

 by Anacker, Schleg", Albrecht and Besnoit). 



Symptoms. The spasms occur ahnost exchisively in tlie 

 form of twitchings, with which only very rarely short tonic 

 spasms are associated. The number of twitchings is very vari- 

 al)le and may be equal or different in all the involved muscles. 

 Rather often the twitchings are more or less plainly rhythmic; 

 quite irregular contractions, now in this and then in that muscle, 

 as in chorea, are never ol)served. The spasms usually continue 

 during rest, but as a rule occur less often, and are less power- 

 ful, than when some external influence arouses the attention 

 of the animal. They are usually transient and disappear after 

 a few days or several weeks. With the exception of those 

 spasms that arise from severe basic diseases they occasion little 

 or no disturbance of the vital functions of the animal, and do 

 not impair their working power unless they involve a consid- 

 erable area. 



The clinical picture varies according to what muscles aie 

 attacked, and how many are affected. Spasms in the region 

 of the facial nerves will draw the lips back by jerks and close 

 the eyelids, etc. Uni- or bilateral spasm of the muscles of 

 mastication will cause gritting of the teeth, which may be 

 audible some distance away (Dexler, personal observation). If 

 the neck muscles are attacked the head nods or moves convul- 

 sively to one side, whilst spasm of the back muscles causes curv- 

 ature of the back upwards, downwards, or to one side. Bilat- 

 eral spasm of the oblique abdominal muscles causes contrac- 

 tions of the abdominal wall, depression of the epigastrium, and 

 a visible bulging of the intercostal spaces, or also an upward 

 curvature of the loin region; a unilateral spasm on the con- 

 trary produces a curvature of the body to the same side besides 

 contractions of the abdominal Avail on the affected side. If the 

 extremities are included in the attack then the joints are bent 

 at times or are extended by jerks, whereby peculiar dancing 

 movements are produced so that the animal lies down frequent- 

 ly or constantly. Contractions of the muscles of the skin coin- 

 cide with those seen in getting rid of flies. In given cases the 

 spasms occur in manifold combinations. In one case in a horse 

 the authors succeeded in relieving the spasms of the muscles 

 of the back for a short time by tapping the liack. 



Prognosis. In spasms arising from organic disease of the 

 nervous system or from deep seated inflammation of the diges- 

 tive organs, the prognosis is unfavorable in accordance with 

 the nature of the primary disease, but convulsions from other 

 causes mostly disappear after a short time, at the latest after a 

 few weeks. 



