448 DISEASES OF THE SPINAL CORD 



Treatment.— No treatment will be of any value where the 

 spinal cord is destroyed. If crepitation is present and 

 distinct separation and movement between the involved 

 vertebrae are detected it is advisable to destroy the animal. 

 If in doubt in regard to the actual condition the patient 

 should be given a soft bed and quiet place. Good nourish- 

 ing food (meat, milk) and gentle massage over the region 

 injured will assist in the resorption. In the secondary 

 stages small doses of strychnin sulphate (0.001) daily and 

 electricity have proved to be beneficial. 



COMPRESSION OF THE SPINAL CORD. 



Definition.— A condition in which there is more or less 

 disturbance in the function of the spinal cord from pressure 

 by exostosis, tumors, abscesses, parasites, etc. 



Etiology.— Various diseased conditions will produce com- 

 pression of the cord. The following are most common and 

 important: (a) In the dog degeneration of the interverte- 

 bral disks in which there is distortion and enlargement 

 projecting into the spinal canal, narrowing its lumen and 

 causing compression of the cord. This condition has been 

 observed in certain breeds of dogs and in Belgian hares. 

 The cause is no doubt injury to the disks by extreme mobil- 

 ity or concussion, (b) Ossification of the intervertebral 

 disks. This is found in older animals, mainly in old dogs. 

 It may exist in an individual disk or what is more common 

 a number of them will be affected producing rigidity of the 

 vertebral column. The enlargements resulting from the 

 ossification project into the spinal canal directly compres- 

 sing the cord. The condition usually begins in the most 

 mobile portion of the vertebral column. Fracture of the 

 vertebra; without destruction of the cord may bring about 

 a similar condition upon union of the fractured portions. 

 The new bone formation projects into the spinal canal. 

 (c) Tumors. In the dog sarcomas may cause compression 

 of the cord by the tumor developing in close proximity to 

 the" vertebral column and the growth extending through the 

 intervertebral foramina. Other growths rarely produce this 



