SPINITIS. 145 



effusion or softening ; the spinal cord loses its power, and 

 paralysis ensues. Anything affecting the brain may also 

 affect the cord. As, for instance, injuries received in 

 running away, or in various ways — rolling into a hole in 

 the pasture and struggling violently, or struggling when 

 confined for operations. Certain grasses and bad food also 

 cause the disease. Severe exertion, nervous excitement, 

 etc., also operate as causes. At times it might be classed 

 almost as an enzootic disease. It sometimes occurs also in 

 connection with azoturea. It is very likely to terminate in 

 paralysis, which may be due to softening of the spinal 

 marrow. It is more common in stallions, resulting from 

 slight inflammation of the cord and its coverings, followed 

 by softening and paralysis ; stallions, as before stated, 

 being more subject to nervous diseases than are mares or 

 geldings. 



Sijmptoms. — The symptoms of the acute form are as 

 follows. The animal shows very great nervous irritation, 

 in some instances perspiring to such an extent that it 

 would almost lead one to think it was a l)Owel trouble. 

 He may fidl, and be in many cases unable to rise without 

 assistance. "When assisted to his feet, he looks at his 

 sides — again suggesting a bowel trouble. ^Yhen lying 

 down he will struggle violently to get up, and when up he 

 makes the most frantic efforts to retain the standing 

 position; in fact, sometimes a bone is fractured in the 

 attempt to remain standing. Pyrexia is usually well 

 marked. Pulse wiry and high, temperature elevated, etc. 

 After a while the limbs can be pulled about or placed in 

 any position without the slightest resistance being offered. 

 One of the vertebrae may be fractured, and pressing upon 

 the cord. The case may prove fatal in twenty-four or 

 forty-eight hours from the first appearance of the attack. 



Symptoms of the sub-acute form are, a quickened and 



10 



