ANCHYLOSIS OF THE VERTEBRAE. 205 



The symptoms of this disease are very obscure ; some slight 

 stiffness about the loins may be observable ; disinclination on the 

 part of the horse to lie down in the stable, more or less clonic 

 spasm of the lumbar and gluteal muscles (shivering), or some 

 degree of stringhalt. 



Cart-horses are more subject to this disease than any other 

 class of our patients, and this is explained by the fact that they 

 are loaded with heavy weights during the period of their growth, 

 when their age and strength are not calculated to bear them. 

 "When hunters and hacks, as age advances, become stilty in 

 their action, unpleasant to ride, the change is often as much due 

 to this increased stiffness in the back as to that in the joints of 

 the extremities. 



Sometimes horses suspected to be suffering from this disease 

 present symptoms of its temporary aggravation by a greater 

 degree of immobility in the loins and back, a greater extent of 

 the spasmodic action before referred to, and by signs of partial 

 paralysis ; there will be reeling of the gait, crossing and draw- 

 ing inwards of the hind feet, inability, without danger of falling, 

 to turn round quickly, great difficulty in backing, during which 

 process a peculiarly sudden quivering elevation of the tail may 

 often be observed. 



The meninges of the cord are in such cases more or less in- 

 volved in the inflammatory action. 



This aggravation may be produced by a slight cold, indiges- 

 tion, or other trivial external or internal cause. 



For the original disease nothing can be recommended except 

 the removal of its cause, if possible, and a period of rest ; but 

 for the exacerbations active treatment is required. The con- 

 stitutional treatment will depend upon the cause. As a rule, 

 a purgative — if its administration is not contra-indicated by the 

 presence of a catarrhal affection or chest disease — should be 

 given, and belladonna in moderate doses, in preference to any 

 other sedative, because of its special effect upon the cord, and 

 its power of diminishing muscular contractility. The local treat- 

 ment to consist of fomentations to the loins, or a sheep-skin, and 

 the application of gently stimulating embrocations. 



If these do not succeed, a blister may be applied with advan- 

 tage. If the hair be clipped for a space four inches broad, and 

 twelve to sixteen inches long, upon both sides of the spine, the 



