244 PRACTICE OF EQUINE MEDICINE. 



SPINAL MENINGITIS. 



What are the synonyms ? 



Spinal disease; spinal fever. 



Define the same. 



Spinal meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges of the 

 spinal cord characterized by a loss of power and sensibility of the 

 posterior extremity. 



What is the morbid anatomy ? 



The membranes of the cord as well as those of the brain may 

 be hyperaemic, thickened, and ecchymosed. A serous or purulent 

 fluid may be present between the membranes. 



Give the aetiology. 



The cause is not well understood. Bad hygienic conditions, 

 overwork, excessive heat, are thought to share in causing the dis- 

 ease. Probably it is produced by a micrococcus. 



What are the symptoms ? 



The symptoms vary in intensity in in-cases or out-breaks. 



There is a loss of power of the hind extremities, it being difficult 

 to back the animal out of the stall and in turning around; there 

 is a swaying or staggering from side to side. The legs cannot co- 

 ordinate properly, the animal drags the toe of the hind extremities, 

 and there is a sort of cross-legged gait. The tail will be found lax, 

 and if you raise it, it will fall powerless. If these symptoms in- 

 crease the animal will fall down and be unable to rise. The tem- 

 perature is usually about 101° or 101^° F. 



With what diseases may spinal meningitis be con- 

 founded ? 



With influenza and azoturia principally. 



How may spinal meningitis be distinguished from in- 

 fluenza ? 



By the lax condition of the tail, by the temperature being 101° 

 or 101^° P., by the dragging of the toe of the hind extremities in 

 spinal meningitis and by the higher fever 103° to 106° P., by the 



