212 DISEASES OF THE HOESE. 



a general weakness and shifting of the legs. Soon a painful, convul- 

 sive twitching of the muscles sets in, followed by muscular rigidity 

 along the spine, in which condition the animal will move very stiffly 

 and evince great pain in turning. Evidences of paralysis or para- 

 plegia develop, retention or incontinence of urine, and oftentimes 

 sexual excitement is present. The presence of marked fever at the 

 beginning of the attack, associated with spinal symptoms, should lead 

 us to suspect spinal meningitis or myelitis. These two conditions 

 usually appear together, or myelitis follows inflammation of the 

 meninges so closely that it is almost impossible to separate the two; 

 practically it does not matter much, for the treatment will be about 

 the same in both cases. Spinal meningitis generally becomes chronic, 

 and is then marked principally by paralysis of that portion, or parts 

 of it, posterior to the seat of the disease. 



Pathology. — In spinal meningitis we will find essentially the same 

 condition as in cerebral meningitis ; there will be an effusion of serum 

 between the membranes, and often a plastic exudation firmly adherent 

 to the jyia mater serves to maintain a state of paralysis for a long time 

 after the acute symptoms have disappeared by compressing the cord. 

 Finally, atrophy, softening, and even abscess may develop within the 

 cord. Unlike in man, it is usually found localized in horses. 



Treatment. — Bags filled with ice should be applied along the spine, 

 to be followed later on by strong blisters. The fever should be con- 

 trolled as early as possible by giving 20 drops of Norwood's tincture 

 of veratrum viride every hour until the desired result is obtained. 

 One dram of the fluid extract of belladonna, to control pain and vas- 

 cular excitement of the spinal cord, may be given every five or six 

 hours until the pupils of the eyes become pretty well dilated. If the 

 pain is very intense 5 grains of sulphate of morphia should be injected 

 hypodermically. The animal must be kept as free from excitement 

 as possible. If the urine is retained in the bladder it must be drawn 

 off every four or six; hours. In very acute attacks the disease gener- 

 ally proves fatal in a few days. If, however, the animal grows better 

 some form of paralysis is apt to remain for a long time, and the 

 treatment will have to be directed then toward a removal of the exuda- 

 tive products and a strengthening of the system and stimulation of 

 the nervous functions. To induce absorption, iodide of potassa in 

 2-dram doses may be given, dissolved in the drinking water, twice a 

 day. To strengthen the system, iodide of iron 1 dram twice a day 

 and 1 dram of nux vomica once a .day may be given in the feed. 

 Electricity to the paralyzed and weakened muscles is advisable ; the 

 current should be weak, but be continued for half an hour two -or 

 three times daily. If the disease is due to a broken back, caries of 

 the vertebrae, or some other irremediable cause, the animal should be 

 destroyed at once. 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



