DISEASES OF THE NEKVOUS SYSTEM. 235 



Treatment. — When it occurs as a sequence of a preceding inflam- 

 matory disease, iodid of potassium and general tonics are indicated. 

 When due to tumors growing within the spinal canal, or to pressure 

 from displaced bone, no form of treatment will result in any benefit. 



SPINAL HEMORRHAGE. 



This may occur from changes in the wall of the blood vessels, in 

 connection with tumors, acute myelitis, traumatic injuries, etc. The 

 blood may escape through the pia mater into the subarachnoid cavity, 

 and large clots be formed. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms are largely dependent upon the seat 

 and extent of the hemorrhage, as they are principally owing to 

 the compression of the cord. A large clot may produce sudden 

 paraplegia, accompanied with severe pain along the spine; usually, 

 however, the paralysis of both motion and sensation is not very 

 marked at first ; on the second or third day fever is liable to appear, 

 and increased or diminished sensibility along the spine posterior 

 to the seat of the clot. When the bladder and rectum are involved 

 in the symptoms it indicates that the spinal cord is compressed. 



Treatment. — ^In the occurrence of injuries to the back of a horse, 

 whenever there is any evidence of paralysis, it is always advisable to 

 apply bags of ice along the spine to check or prevent hemorrhage 

 or congestion, and 2 drams of the fluid extract of ergot and 20 drops 

 of tincture of digitalis may be given every hour until three doses 

 have been taken. Subsequently tincture of belladonna in half -ounce 

 doses may be given three times a day. If there is much pain, 5 grains 

 of sulphate of morphia, injected under the skin, will afford relief 

 and lessen the excitability of the animal. In all cases the animal 

 should be kept perfectly quiet. 



SPINAL CONCUSSION. 



This is rarely observed in the horse, and unless it is sufficiently 

 severe to produce well-marked symptoms it would not be suspected. 

 It may occur in saddle horses from jumping, or it may be pro- 

 ■duced by falling over an embankment, or a violent fall upon the 

 haunches may produce it. Concussion may be followed by partial 

 paralysis or spinal hemorrhage ; generally, however, it is confined to 

 a jarring and some disturbance of the nerve elements of the cord, 

 and the paralytic effect which ensues soon passes off. Treatment 

 consists in rest until the animal has completely recovered from the 

 shock. If secondary effects follow from hemorrhage or compression, 

 they have to be treated as heretofore directed. 



