214 BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 



SFINAL COMPRESSIOX. 



When caused by tumors or otherwise, when pressure is slight, it 

 produces a paralysis of the muscles used in extending a limb and con- 

 traction of those which flex it. When compression is great it causes 

 complete loss of sensibility and motion posterior to the compressed 

 part of the cord. 



Compression of a lateral half of the cord produces motor paralysis, 

 disturbance of the circulation, and difficulty of movement, an increased 

 sensibilit}' on the side corresponding to the compressed section, and a 

 diminished sensibilit}- and some paral3'sis on the opposite side. 



Treatment.- — When it occurs as a sequence of a preceding inflamma- 

 tory disease, iodide of potassa and general tonics arc indicated. When 

 due to tumors growing within the spinal canal, or to pressure from 

 displaced bone, no form of treatment will result in any benefit. 



SPINAL HEMORRHAGE. 



This may occur from changes in the wall of the blood vessels, in 

 connection with tumors, acute myelitis, traumatic injuries, etc. The 

 blood may escape through the pia mater into the subarachnoid ca^nty, 

 and large clots be formed. 



Si/m2}toms.—T\\Q sjnnptoms are largely dependent upon the seat and 

 extent of the hemorrhage, as the}'^ are principally due to the compres- 

 sion of the cord. A large clot ma}^ produce sudden paraplegia, accom- 

 panied by severe pain along the spine; usualh^, however, the parah^sis 

 of both motion and sensation is not very marked at first; on the second 

 or third day fever is apt to appear, and increased or diminished sensi- 

 bility along the spine posterior to the seat of the clot. When the 

 bladder and rectum are involved in the symptoms it indicates that the 

 spinal cord is compressed. 



Treatment. — In the occurrence of injuries to the back of a horse, 

 whenever there is any evidence of paralysis it is always advisa))le to 

 apply bags of ice along the spine to check or prevent hemorrhage or 

 congestion, and 2 drams of the fluid extract of ergot and 20 drops of 

 tincture of digitalis may be given every hour imtil three doses have 

 been taken. Subsequently tincture of belladonna in half-ounce doses 

 may be given three times a day. If there is much pain, 5 grains of 

 sulphate of morphia, injected under the skin, will afford relief and 

 lessen the excitability of the animal. In all cases the animal should be 

 kept perfectly quiet. 



SPINAL CONCUSSION. 



This is rarely observed in the horse, and unless it is sufficiently severe 

 to produce well-marked symptoms it would not be suspected. It may 

 occur in saddle horses from jumping, or it may be produced b}^ falling 



