212 DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. 



affected regions even when subjected to serious irritations of the 

 skin. 



4. Disturbances of the Sphincters. In mild stages ofthis disease 

 the sphincters, such as the bladder, appear slightly affected. In 

 the serious stage we observe complete paralysis, loss of control of 

 the sphincters, and complete paralysis of the sphincter vesicae. 

 More details will be introduced on this subject under Diseases of 

 the Bladder. Such paralytic conditions of the bladder may occur 

 in all diseases of the spine. There is difficulty in the passage of 

 fecal matter, as a consequence, producing constipation and paralysis 

 of the intestines, caused to a certain extent by the loss of abdom- 

 inal pressure. This is evinced by a gaping rectum and escape of 

 fecal matter which accumulates in the lower bowel. 



5. Nutritive Disorders. Through want of active exercise the 

 muscular system of paralyzed animals, especially the extremities, 

 becomes flabby, soft, and atrophied. The temperature is reduced 

 in the paralyzed portion, the extremities being cold and ansemic. 

 In cases where there is paralysis of the spinal cord caused by 

 compression, and in cases of atrophy due to hemorrhage on the 

 spinal cord, and also in certain luxations or fractures of the verte- 

 brae, we see the same symptoms. 



(a) Paralysis of the spinal cord caused by compression may 

 result from thickening of the membranes and pressure on the spine 

 itself. It may also occur in some diseases of the vertebra, for 

 instance, in exostosis, but both of these are very rare. In such 

 cases the symptoms come on very slowly and gradually increase 

 in intensity. 



(6) Apoplexy may occur, due to the presence of some blood 

 escaping on the spine and causing pressure. In these cases the 

 paralysis appears very suddenly, but may gradually disappear after 

 some time. 



(c) Luxations of the spinal cord only happen in the vertebra of 

 the neck, and cause a peculiar oblique position of the head, as if 

 it were twisted to one side. This is due to displacement of the 

 ligaments. At the same tima there is present a series of what 

 might be called "special symptoms," which are not very pro- 

 nounced in any of their characters. 



(d) Fractures of the spine : These are generally recognized l)y 

 some change in the position of the region in which they are located 



