308 MANUAL OF EQUINE MEDICINE. 



whereas spinal inflammation is mostly of idiopathic 

 origin. 



Prognosis. — Acute spinal inflammation usually terminates 

 fatalI3^ 



Chronic inflammation does not generally end fatally, but 

 so much loss of power remains in many instances that 

 treatment is often abandoned. 



Treatment. — A purgative, such as a full dose of aloes, 

 should be administered at the outset, and the bowels should 

 be kept carefully open during the progress of the disease 

 by enemas, or the administration of saline purgatives. 



Bleeding may be in many instances adopted, but it is 

 contra-indicated when paralysis has set in. 



Cloths wrung from hot water medicated by the addition 

 of belladonna may be applied over the region of the spine 

 to ease the pain and subdue the inflammatory action. 



Internally, belladonna, in the form of extract or tincture, 

 may be given three times daily. 



After the acute stage is passed, ergot of rye, in the form 

 of the ethereal tincture, and potassium iodide, ma}' be 

 tried, and where deficiency of nerve-power is left, stimulants 

 may also be administered. 



Externally, if impairment of nerve power remains, some 

 authors recommend the application of the actual cautery 

 over a considerable length of the spine, on both sides. 



If blisters be used, cantharides should not be the active 

 ingredient. 



Internally, after the acute stages are over, strychnine and 

 quinine may be administered three times a day. 



In those cases where micturition is not easily performed, 

 the catheter should be passed twice or three times daily, in 

 order to draw off" the urine. 



The food should be good and nutritious, and the general 

 hygienic conditions should be attended to. 



