207 



Symptoms.— Bpiual anaemia causes paralysis of the muscles used in 

 exteudiug the limbs. When the bladder is aflected it precedes the weak- 

 ness of motion, while in spinal congestion it follows, and increased sen- 

 sibility, in |>lace of diminished sensibility, as in spinal congestion, is ob- 

 served. Pressure along the spine causes excessive pain. 



Treatment. — If the exciting cause can be removed the animal recov- 

 ers; if this fails, the spinal cord may undergo softening. 



SPINAL COMPEESSION. 



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

 duces a paralysis of the muscles used in extending a limb and contrac- 

 tion of those which flex it. When compression is great it causes com- 

 plete 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 in the circulation, and difficulty of movement, an increased 

 sensibility on the side corresponding to the compressed section, and a 

 diminished sensibility and some paralysis on the opposite side. 



Treatment. — When it occurs as a sequence of a preceding inflammatory 

 disease, iodide of potassa and general tonics are indicated. When due 

 to tumors growing within the spinal canal, or to pressure from dis- 

 placed 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 con- 

 nection with tumors, acute myelitis, traumatic injuries, etc. The blood 

 may escape througli the pia m ater into the sub-arachnoid cavity, and 

 large clots be formed. 



Sijmptomfi. — The symptoms are largely dependent upon the seat and 

 extent of the hemori'hage, as they are principally due to the compres- 

 sion of the cord. A large clot may produce sudden paraplegia accom- 

 panied by severe pain along the spine ; usually, however, the paralysis 

 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 advisable 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 until 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. 



