150 THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



CEREBROSPINAL MENINGITIS. 



Definition. — Inflammation of the spinal-cord, brain, and 

 coverings. 'I question very much whether there is any 

 very active inflammation in the parts, and consider that 

 the symptoms may be produced by congestion of the 

 blood in the vessels of the part, causing pressure upon 

 the brain and spinal cord, and producing the disease. A 

 good name for it would be cerebro-spinal fever. It is com- 

 paratively a new disease, and it might be said that it is 

 confined to the American continent, as we hear very little 

 about its occurrence in any of the old countries. The 

 affected part is the cerebro-spinal axis, or system, but I am 

 inclined to think that the great sympathetic system is also 

 involved. Irritation may be caused by poisonous sub- 

 stances being taken into the system in quantities sufficient 

 or of a kind to produce this disease. It is a far more 

 common disease of man during the last twenty years than ever 

 before ' {Smith). In horses it is more common in the United 

 States, and it is of greater frequency amongst horses standing 

 in badly- ventilated stables, as underground stables, etc., the 

 reason in all probability being that such horses are neces- 

 sarily debilitated to a greater or less extent, and are conse- 

 quently more susceptible to the influence of the poison, 

 whatever that may be. Imperfect drainage, bad ventilation, 

 the crowding together of large numbers, poor food, etc., un- 

 doubtedly debilitate and render both animals and men more 

 susceptible to disease. The disease has occurred in com- 

 paratively a mild form, and has affected few animals, except 

 in large cities. During the year 1872 it made great 

 havoc in New York, Boston, and Philadelphia, the street- 

 car horses suffering more than others. The disease occurs 

 in an enzootic, and in a sporadic form; the latter form being 

 the one chiefly met with in Canada. 



