548 KEEVOUS DISEASES. 



to become thus affected, or may even bring about degenerative 

 clianges in that nerve centre. 



POST-MORTEM APPEARANCES.— The appearances of recent 

 cases of this disease are those of congestion of the cord at the 

 loins, with, consequently, a large amount of serum (over 12 oz. 

 in one case, according to Colonel Fred Smith) in the spinal canal. 

 Observers are generally agreed that in old cases — no distinction 

 being made between it and kumree — there is always softening of 

 the cord at that part. 



TREATMENT OF SPINAL CONGESTION.— Give, in the first 

 instance, a dose of aloes. Blister along the spine, over the loins, 

 with biniodide of mercury ointmeint (1 to 4 of lard) ; and mix 

 1 oz. of iodide of potassium in the food or water daily for a 

 fortnight or so. Keep the animal warmly clothed and stabled, 

 and give green food. If the patient can stand fairly well, slings 

 may be of use ; for it is quite possible that the local congestion 

 might be increased by lying down. If the paralysis be consider- 

 able, slings should not be employed ; as the consequent pressure 

 on the abdomen would interfere with digestion. If the animal 

 is unable to stretch himself out in order to urinate, the catheter 

 should be passed four or five times a day. 



The action of the purgative is to determine blood to the intes- 

 tines, and, consequently, to draw it away from the congested part ; 

 while, by diminishing the amount of watery fluid in the blood, it 

 hastens the absorption of the exuded serum. The effect of the 

 counter-irritant (p. 17) on the skin is to diminish the blood-pres- 

 sure of the congested vessels, and, consequently, to relieve the un- 

 healthy condition which they are in. As contraction of the super- 

 ficial vessels is the original cause of the congestion of the vessels 

 of the cord, it is reasonable to conclude that dilatation of the 

 former will be followed by more or less contraction of the latter. 

 The action of the iodide of potassium is to cause absorption of the 

 serum. 



A fortnight or so after the commencement of the attack, we may 

 consider that the inflammatory stage has passed, and we may then 

 limit our treatment to giving a drachm of nux vomica morning and 

 evening in the food, and to repeating the blister. As a last re- 

 source, the horse may be fired along the spine over the loins. The 

 nux vomica should be discontinued as soon as nervous twitchings 

 make their appearance in the muscles of the animal, or when his 

 appetite begins to fail. 



PREVENTIVE MEASURES.— The horse should be warmly 

 clothed, according to the season of the year, at night, and at other 



