208 



SPINAL CONCUSSION. 



This is rarely observed in the horse, and unless it is sufficiently se- 

 vere to produce well-marked symptoms it would not be suspected. It 

 may occur in saddle-horses from jumping-, or it may be produced by 

 falling over an embankment, or a violent fall upon the haunches may 

 produce it. Concussion may be followed by j^artial paralysis or spinal 

 hemorrhage, generally, however, it is confined to a jarriug and some 

 disturbance of the nerve elements of the cord, and the paralytic effect 

 which ensues soon passes off. Treatment consists in rest until the ani- 

 mal has completely recovered from the shock. If secondary effects fol- 

 low from hemorrhage, or compression, they have to be treated as here- 

 tofore directed. 



SPINAL TUMORS. 



Within the substance of the cord glioma, or the mixed gliosarcomata, 

 is found to be the most frequent, tumors may form from the meninges 

 and the vertebrae, being of a fibrous or bony nature, and affect the spi- 

 nal cord indirectly by compression. In the meninges we may tiud gli- 

 oma, cancers, psammoma, fibromata ; and aneurisms of the spinal 

 arteries have been discovered in the spinal canal. 



Symptoms. — Tumors of the spinal canal cause symptoms of spinal irri- 

 tation, or compression of the cord. The gradual and slow development 

 of symptoms of paralysis of one or both hind limbs or certain muscles 

 may lead to a suspicion of spinal tumors. The paralysis induced is 

 progressive, but not usually marked with atrophy of the muscles, or in- 

 creased sensibility along the spine. When the tumor is within the spi- 

 nal cord itself all the symptoms of myelitis may be jiresent. 



Treatment. — General tonics and dram doses of nux vomica may be 

 given; iodide of iron or iodide of potassa in dram doses, three times a 

 day in feed, may, in a very few cases, give some temporary benefit. 

 Usually the disease progresses steadily until it proves fatal. 



NEURITIS— INFLAMMATION OF A NERVE. 



This is caused by a bruise or wound of a nerve, or to strangulation 

 in a ligature when it is included in the ligation of an artery. Tbe 

 changes in an inflamed nerve are an enlargement, reddening of the 

 nerve sheath, spots of extra vasated blood, and sometimes an infiltration 

 of serum mixed with pus. 



Symptoms. — Acute pain of the parts supplied by the nerve, and absence 

 of swelling or increased heat of the part. 



Treatment.— B-yDodermiG injections of from 3 to 5 grains of morphia 

 to relieve pain, hot fomentations, and rest. If it is due to an inclusion 

 of a ligature, the nerve should be divided above and below the ligature. 



