Contraction of the Spinal Cord in the Horse and Cow. 155 



and in the absence of p;roof of the ingestion of ergot, might well 

 be confounded with them. 



Treatment. This consists mainly in doing away with the causes, 

 when these can be ascertained. Portions of thyroid may be 

 grafted if complete thyroidectomy has been performed, or thyroid 

 extract may be given. In the human subject recoveries have 

 followed the expulsion of intestinal worms, the cure of gastric 

 dilation, dyspepsia, fermentations, diarrhoea, rachitis, menstrual 

 irregularity, or auto-intoxication. Fire has seen recovery follow 

 the extraction of a carious tooth. 



The spasms may be met by the internal administration of anti- 

 spasmodics (chloral, belladonna, bromides, opiates,) and the ex- 

 ternal application over the affected muscles of anodynes and 

 anti-spasmodics (belladonna, opium, chloroform, oil of cajeput, 

 oil of peppermint, menthol, etc.). Warm or tepid baths are 

 often of great value and a mild electric current has been found 

 useful. 



CONGESTION OF THE SPINAE CORD IN THE HORSE 



AND COW. 



Under this heading Trasbot describes haemoglobinuria and par- 

 turition paresis, but this tends to cover up the more important 

 causes and phenomena of these diseases, which should be kept in 

 the foreground. Spinal congestion is undoubtedly a feature of 

 both these affections, and the sudden onset and rapid recoveries 

 often seen, indicate the absence of inflammatory action, yet this is 

 but an accompaniment of a constitutional morbid state which we 

 think fully warrants a special consideration of each elsewhere 

 (see Hsemoglobinuria ; Parturition paresis). 



Apart from these affections congestion habitually merges into 

 myelitis or spinal meningitis, and may be considered as the initial 

 stage of these disorders. It owns the same causes and is mani- 

 fested by closely allied symptoms, but these are less persistent, 

 and may subside abruptly into a condition of health. The treat- 

 ment will be on the same general lines as for myelitis, but with 

 much better hope of success. 



