205 



strengtLening of the systemaad stimulation of the nervous functions.' 

 To induce absorptiou iodide of potassa in 2 dram doses may be given 

 dissolved in the driukiug water twice a day. To strengthen the sys- 

 tem, iodide of iron 1 dram twice a day and 1 dram of uux vomica once 

 a day may be given in the feed. Electricity to the paralyzed and 

 weakened muscles is advisable; the current should be weak, but be 

 continued for half an hour two or three times daily. If the disease is 

 due to a broken back, caries of the vertebrte, or some other irremedi- 

 able cause, the animal should be destroyed at once. 



MYELITIS — INFLAMMATION OF THE SUBSTANCE OF THE SPINAL CORD. 



This is a rare disease, except as a secondary result of spinal menin- 

 gitis or injuries to the spine. Poisoning, by lead, arsenic, mercury, 

 phosphorus, carbonic-acid gas, etc., has been known to produce it. 

 Myelitis may be confined to a small spot in the cord or may involve the 

 whole for a variable distance. It may lead to softening, abscess, or de- 

 generation. 



Symjjtoms. — The attack may begin with a chill or convulsions; the 

 muscles twitch or become cramped very envly in the disease, and the 

 bladder usually is affected in the outset, in which there may be either 

 retention or incontinence of urine. These conditions are followed by 

 complete or partial paralysis of the muscles posterior to the locality of 

 the inflamed cord, and the muscles begin to waste away rapidly. The 

 paralyzetl limb becomes cold and dry, due to the suspension of proper 

 circulation; the joints may swell and become cedematous; vesicular 

 eruptions appear on the skin, and frequently gangrenous sloughs form 

 on the paralyzed parts. It is exceedingly seldom that recovery takes 

 place. In a few instances it may assume a chronic type, when all the 

 symptoms become mitigated, and thus continue for some time until 

 septicemia, pysemia, or exhaustion causes death. 



Pathology. — The inflammation may involve nearly the whole length 

 of the cord, but generally it is more intense in some places than others; 

 when due to mechanical injury the inflammation may remain confined 

 to a small section. The cord is swollen and congested, reddened, often 

 softened and infiltrated with pus cells, and the nerve elements are de- 

 generated. 



Treatment. — Similar to that of spinal meningitis. 



SPINAL SCLEROSIS. 



This is the sequence of myelitis, when some mild form of the disease 

 has been existing. Thickening and hardening of the interstitial tissues 

 of the cmd, the result of inflammatory products, constitute sclerosis. 

 The affected section has a gray appearance, is firmer than the surround- 

 ing tissue, sometimes presents a depressed surface and at other times 

 may be elevated above the general level of the cord. 



