CHRONIC DISEASE OF THE SPINE. 
By Mr. W. Charnley, Wrexham . 
July 7th, 1836. — I was called out this morning to see a 
valuable hunter, the property of Thomas Fitzhugh, Esq. of Plas 
Power. The groom informed me that he was down and could 
not get up, but was perfectly well to all appearance on the night 
before. On my arrival, I found that both muscular power and sen- 
sation in the hind quarters were completely destroyed. The horse 
had not been out of the loose box for a week. The last time he 
was out the groom perceived him to be a little weak behind, but 
took no particular notice of it. He himself gave the horse some 
alterative medicine, and considered all was going on right. 
Pulse 40, and no fever. I bled him to the amount of four quarts, 
and gave aloes Barb. 3vi, and ordered a fresh sheep-skin to be 
immediately applied to the loins. I also back-raked him and 
threw up a clyster, which was to be repeated every hour. He was 
likewise to be back-raked occasionally. 
p.m. — Symptoms the same ; administered aloes Barb. 3 iv ; 
and ordered warm water to be given him occasionally. 
8th, a.m. — Pulse 47, and very weak; respiration a little 
quickened — the medicine had not operated. I ordered back- 
raking and clysters as before, and had the sheep-skin removed 
from the loins, which were then rubbed perfectly dry. 
I then prepared an ointment composed of ant. tart, ^iv et 
adeps preeparat. Jiv, and had half of it well rubbed in on each 
side of the lumbar region ; I also ordered warm water occasionally. 
p.m. — Symptoms the same : medicine not operated. I ordered 
ol. lini. Jvi to be given, and introduced the catheter, and took 
away about four quarts of urine : back-raking and clysters as 
before. The remainder of the ointment to be well rubbed in. 
9th, a.m. — Pulse 74, scarcely perceptible at the submaxil- 
lary artery ; respiration increased ; medicine not operated : back- 
raking and clysters as before. 
p.m. — .Pulse 84, but very weak ; medicine not operated : gave 
ol. lini. ^vi et ol. croton ten drops; introduced the catheter and 
took away four quarts of urine ; warm water to be given : back- 
raking and clysters as before. 
10 th y a.m. — Pulse 64; great pain and violent perspiration. 
I introduced the catheter, but could not abstract any water. 
The medicine operated slightly. Give warm water every hour. 
The horse died in the afternoon of the same day. 
