Slow Compression of Spinal Cord. Paralysis. 179 



The area of nervous disorder points more or less clearly to the, 

 seat of the lesion. Barly implication of the fore limbs, and then^ 

 later of the hind, suggests lesion of the cervical region. Dyspnoea 

 tumultuous heart action, or vertigo may coincide. Tardy move- 

 ments of the hind limbs, imperfect balancing, dragging, swaying, 

 knuckling, involuntary flexions of stifle or hock, flexor con- 

 tractions, standing on toe, cramps, paraplegia, indicate lesion in 

 the dorsal or lumbar region. There may be palsy of the rectum, 

 anus, bladder, sphincter vesicae, penis, and vulva. Paralysis or 

 other nervous disorder of the tail and sphincters. ani and vesicae, 

 without implication of the hind limbs or quarters, may bespeak 

 lesion in the terminal end of the spinal cord. , ,, . 



With paralysis of the bladder the penis may be pendpnt out of 

 the sheath, or being retained within it, the urine , may dribble 

 constantly into and from that cavity, and the vulva may be soft, 

 and flaccid. When the anus is involved, the adjacent part of 

 the rectum usually participates becoming overloaded, the sphincter, 

 is soft and lax and allows a constant oozing, and the exposure of 

 the mucosa. The paralytic tail hangs between the thighs, lirap 

 and flaccid, and becomes saturated with manure and in females 

 with urine. 



Even in the earlier stages the symptoms are usually greatly 

 aggravated by compulsory movements like turning in a circle, 

 walking up hill, or (in dogs) up a stair, and the arched back, the 

 pendent head, and hesitating planting of the foot suggests walk-, 

 ing on pins. For a more exact, localization of the lesion the 

 reajder may consult the table indicating the functions of th? 

 different parts of the spinal cord. The early fatigue under exer- 

 cise grows as in other progressive spinal lesions.- 



Treatment. In most cases this is hopeless. , Tujnors, bony, and , 

 calcic growths, tubercles, degenerations and absorption pf nervous 

 tissue.are practically beyond remedy. A blood extravasation 

 may be largely absorbed, leaving only the perrnanent, changes in 

 tt'e nervous tissue. In this, time is the main element, Actino- 

 niycosis may sometimes be successfully met by a course of potas- , 

 slum iodide, when, if the nervous lesions . ^re slight, ^ fair re- 

 covery may be secured. In the majority of cases, however, the 

 practitioner is Umited to measures for palliation of suffering by 

 atropia, chloral, phenacetin, etc., or by nerve stimulants Uke 



