206 



Symptoms. — Paralysis of sensatioQ or motion in local muscles, and 

 when located in the region of the neck may present the symptoms of 

 locomotor ataxia or inco-ordination of movement. Spinal sclerosis may 

 be suspected when these symptoms succeed an attack of myelitis. 



Treatment. — The iodide of iron may be given in dram doses twice a 

 day for a week, alternating with two- grain doses of sulphate of strych- 

 nia twice a day for a week. 



SPINAL CONGESTION AND SPINAL HYPEREMIA. 



The distinction between congestion and hyperaemia is one of degree 

 rather than kind. Tn both we tiud an excess of blood. In hyperaemia 

 the current is unusually rapid, in cougestiou it is unusually slow. The 

 distinction between hyperemia and inflammation is also difficult to 

 m;ike; one is only the forerunner of the other. As the blood vessels of 

 the pia mater are the principal source of supply to the spinal cord, hy- 

 peroemia of the cord and of the meninges usually go together. The symp- 

 toms are, therefore, closely allied to those of spinal meningitis and 

 myelitis- When the pia mater is diseased the spinal cord is almost in- 

 variably affected also. 



Cause. — Sadden checking of the perspiration, violent exercise, blows, 

 and falls. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms may vary somewhat with each case, and 

 closely resemble the first symptoms of spinal meningitis, spinal tumors, 

 and myelitis. First, some disturbance in movement, lowering of the 

 temperature, and partial loss of sensibility posterior to the seat of the 

 congestion. If in the cervical region it may cause interference in 

 breathing and the action of the heart. When in the region of the loins 

 there may be loss of control of the bladder. • When the congestion is 

 sufficient to produce compression of the cord, paraplegia may be com- 

 plete. Usually fever, spasms, muscular twitching, or muscular rigidity 

 are absent, which will serve to distinguish spinal cougestiou from spinal 

 • meningitis. 



Treatment. — Hot- water applications to the spine, one-dram doses fluid 

 extract of belladonna repeated every four hours, and tincture of aconite 

 root 20 drops every hour until the symptoms become ameliorated. If 

 no inflammatory products occur the animal is likely to recover. 



SPINAL ANEMIA. 



This may be caused by extreme cold, exhausting diseases, spinal em- 

 bolism or plugging of a spinal blood-vessel, an interference with the 

 circulation through the abdominal aorta, from compression, thrombosis, 

 or aneurism of that vessel ; the spinal vessels may be caused to contract 

 through vaso-motor influence, a result of peripheral irritation of some 

 nerve. 



