NINTH ANNUAL REPORT. 141 



some, generally using- its long arms as a cripple would use 

 crutches. 



With constant decubitus the patient fails, rapidly becoming 

 emaciated and weak. Abscesses and sloughs are common over 

 the bony prominences of the pelvis and at the base of the tail. 

 These ulcerations have a tendency to spread, forming irregular 

 and sometimes deep sloughing excavations, with no tendency to 

 heal. No pain is evident by manipulation of the partially para- 

 lyzed extremities. The innscnlo-tcndinons reflexes are decreased 

 or obliterated. 



The paralysis of the posterior limbs increases, and the animal, 

 becoming completely paraplegic, loses sphincteric control, with 

 incontinence of urine and faeces. Tactical and pain anesthesia de- 

 velop in the involved areas so that a pin may be trust into the 

 feet or legs without the animal apparently noticing it. 



Various distortions of the bony frame-work develop, even in 

 the early stages, and these changes are most frequently noted 

 in spinal column and thorax, as well as in the long bones of 

 the extremities, depending largely upon the superincumbent 

 weight and muscular contraction. A deformity simulating the 

 classical "pigeon breast" is shown in an accompanying photo- 

 graph. (Plate 3.) Respiratory embarrassment frequently results 

 from these deformities. General anaemia and bronchitis are 

 nearly always associated with advanced cases. 



While we have tried to picture typical cases of "cage paralysis," 

 it is important to note that there is a wide margin of difference 

 in respect to the degrees of severity which may characterize 

 different cases, and the diagnosis is by no means easy, even to 

 careful observers, in the early stages of the disease. 



We believe several of the cases which have occurred in our 

 service were already well inaugurated when the animals were 

 received from the dealers, and, notwithstanding- the fact that all 

 new animals are submitted to a searching examination before 

 admission, cases have not unfrequently remained unrecognized 

 until the middle or later stages of the maladv. 



PATHOLOGICAL AXAT0.\rV. 



General Xiitrition. — As a rule, the general nourishment of the 

 body does not appear to suft'er in the early or middle stages of 

 the disease. The adipose is abundant, of normal color and con- 

 sistence, as the animal eats well. As the disease progresses, a 

 gradual shrinkage of the paralyzed extremities takes place (to 



