MBNINGISM 67 



MENINGISM 



Meningism has been defined by various writers as a 

 sub-acute or mild meningitis, which may be cerebral or 

 spinal and which quite frequently is cerebro-spinal. The 

 etiologic factor is said to be, in almost every instance, 

 an auto-intoxication of intestinal origin. It affects horses 

 in nearly all parts of the United States, showing a pref- 

 erence for young animals, from sucking colts to those 

 just short of maturity. A predisposing cause is idleness 

 and an unbalanced ration. Most cases are seen during 

 the winter months. 



Symptoms. Animals affected at first show slight in- 

 disposition, appear sluggish, are "off feed," and do not 

 lie down. At this time there is a rise in body tempera-*^ 

 ture of from three to five degrees Fahrenheit. The pulse 

 is full and slow. Within a few days the animal shows 

 some difiieulty in swallowing. There is beginning a lack 

 of coordination in the movements of the hind legs. Those 

 which lie down are unable to arise without assistance. 

 The temperature becomes sub-normal in most cases after 

 the inaugurating fever subsides, usually at the end of 

 several days. Constipation is usually evident. In some 

 eases the early symptoms are so mild that the first thing 

 noticed is the lack of coordination in the posterior mem- 

 bers. The animal has a "wobbly" gait and, in turning 

 quickly, may fall. 



A few cases may be ushered in with more force. The 

 animal appears distressed, shows signs of wanting to 

 "forge ahead," pushing forward against the manger 

 or into a corner. There may be a slight rigor. After 

 twenty-four to forty-eight hours the case assumes the 

 more sub-acute aspect first described. The symptoms 

 enumerated slowly disappear, with the exception of the 

 lack of coordination in the posterior members. This 



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