I08 THE HORSB. 



liniment may be used along the inside of the thigh, and chloroform, 

 ether, or laudanum given internally. One ounce chloral hj'drate will 

 relieve the spasm when given internally, but the cramp may return very 

 quickly after the effect has passed off. 



Spinal Meningitis. This is an inflammation of the membranes 

 surrounding the spinal cord. It may be the result of irritating proper- 

 ties of blood poisons, exposure, all forms of injury to the spine, rheuma- 

 tism, etc. 



Symptoms. May be introduced by a chill; a rise in temperature; 

 general weakness; or shifting of the legs. Soon a painful, spasmodic 

 twitching of the muscles set in, followed by a hardness of muscles along 

 the back-bone, when the animal will move very stifSy and evince great 

 pain in moving; evidences of paralysis develop; either holds the urine, 

 or it runs away without effort ; and marked fever at the beginning of the 

 attack, together with spinal symptoms. This disease generally becomes 

 seated and is then principally known by a paralysis back of the seat of 

 the disease. The whole or only portions may be paralyzed. 



Treatment. Put along the spine, bags filled with broken ice, to be 

 followed later by strong blisters. Control fever by giving twenty-drop 

 doses every hour of Norwood's tincture of veratrum viride, until the de- 

 sired effect is obtained. One dram of the fluid extract of belladonna, to 

 control pain and the flow of blood to the meninges may be given every 

 five or six hours till the pupils of the eyes become much enlarged. If 

 the pain is very severe inject hypodermically five grains- of sulphate of 

 morphine. Keep the animal as free from excitement as possible. If the 

 urine is retained in the bladder it must be drawn off every six hours. 

 In very severe attacks the animal dies in a few days. If the animal 

 grows better give two-dram doses of iodide of potassium in the drinking 

 water, morning and evening. Also once a day give one-dram of nux 

 vomica and twice a day same dose of iodide of iron. 



Cerebro-Spinal-Meningitis. This disease is very apt to attack 

 every animal in a stable, although it is conceded by good authority that 

 it is neither contagious nor infectious. It seems to be connected in some 

 way with the food or general surroundings. In many cases the disease 

 has broken out in various localities, where portions of the same lot of 

 oats, hay, and brewers grains have been fed. 



Special Precautions Necessary. If this disease breaks out in a 

 stable, remove all the animals at once. Provide them with clean, well- 

 ventilated, well drained stables elsewhere, and give each animal cue- 



