418 HEALTH AND DISEASE 



DISEASES OF THE SPINAL CORD AND ITS MEMBEANES 



ACUTE SPINAL MENINGITIS INFLAMMATION OF THE 

 MEMBRANES OF THE SPINAL CORD 



Acute inflammation of the coverings of the spinal cord is of seldom 

 occurrence, and mostly involves the two innermost membranes the pia 

 mater and Arachnoid. 



The causes which give rise to this disease are for the most part the 

 result of injury, but it may also follow upon exposure to cold easterly 

 winds and wet, especially in the case of a horse that is heated after a fast 

 run with hounds and much jumping, or after a period of heavy draught. 

 Tumours in the spinal canal, and the bursting of abscesses into it from 

 disease of the vertebrae, may also occasion it. 



Symptoms. These will vary in severity, according to the intensity 

 of the cause. They may either be sudden and severe in their onset or 

 slowly progressive. In the former case the disease is ushered in by rigors 

 or shivering, followed by paroxysms of pain in the course of the spine, 

 exhibited more especially when the animal is made to move. Later, 

 .sudden and repeated fits of spasmodic contraction of the muscles of the 

 limbs appear, causing them to be suddenly jerked upward and forcibly 

 brought to the ground. The movements become unsteady and the fet- 

 locks knuckle over, the patient loses the power to stand, and sooner or later 

 becomes completely paralysed. When on the ground he makes repeated 

 attempts to rise, during which there are violent fits of struggling and 

 painful spasms of the muscles of the limbs and back. 



During these paroxysms the face wears a drawn and anxious expres- 

 sion, deep groans are emitted, the breathing becomes hurried, the pulse 

 quickened, and sweat covers the body. Short intervals of ease follow the 

 convulsive seizures, but growing muscular weakness, followed by complete 

 paralysis of both motion and sensation, sooner or later ends in disablement 

 or death. 



ACUTE MYELITIS INFLAMMATION OF THE SPINAL CORD 



The causes which give rise to inflammation of the membranes of the 

 cord are also responsible for inflammation of the cord itself, and mostly 

 affect both structures in varying degrees at the same time. 



Symptoms. At the onset of the disease more or less stiffness is ob- 

 served in the spine. The animal, when made to turn, does so in a wide 

 circle. Firm pressure over the spine occasions pain. The hind-limbs are 



