PARALYSIS OF THE RECTUM. 
351 
lumbar region. In the army reports, the following case occurring in a 
seventeen year old mare is given:—The animal showed paralysis of the 
rectum and bladder, with atrophy of the muscles of the quarter and 
thigh, and was found, on post-mortem examination, to have thickening 
of the dura mater spinalis from the 3rd lumbar vertebra backwards. 
The grey substance of the spinal cord appeared lighter in colour, and 
softer than usual. A considerable quantity of red fluid w 7 as found 
between the meninges of the spinal cord. 
Friedberger saw the condition during the course of contagious pleuro¬ 
pneumonia in the horse. We have repeatedly seen paralysis of the rectum 
develop spontaneously and quite gradually, and affect the rectum, tail, 
bladder, and, later, the hind-quarters, but only in non-pregnant mares; 
generally in well-bred animals. The first change appears to be paralysis 
of the lumbar nerves, followed by accumulation of faeces in the rectum, 
and gradual dilatation of that bowel. 
The rectum receives its nerves from two points : the n. haemorrhoidalis 
medius, a branch of the pubic nerve, gives twigs to the curvator coccygis and 
retractor ani; the n. hsemorr. posterior arises from the 4th and 5th lumbar 
nerves, and supplies the terminal portion of the rectum and the retractor penis 
muscle. The depressor coccygis derives its motor twigs from the 5th lumbar 
nerve, while the levator coccygis is supplied from the last twigs of the spinal 
nerves, the so-called cauda equina. In the cases noted the disease began with 
paralysis of the levator coccygis, but the rectum and bladder were only affected 
after several months. Finally, the general paraplegia necessitated slaughter or 
total withdrawal of the animal from work. Unfortunately, post-mortem 
examinations were not made, but the course of the disease points to progressive 
degeneration of the posterior portions of the spinal cord. The observations of 
others and the above-described post-mortem appearances support this view. 
Peters saw the disease associated with paralysis of the bladder in a mare. 
Schwarznecker observed the same thing in a pregnant mare, which later died 
from paraplegia ; the post-mortem gave a negative result. Deigendesch reports 
a similar case; the mare died from rupture of the bladder. Dollar has seen 
the condition after severe attacks of contagious pneumonia (influenza). 
Symptoms. Abnormal dilatation of the rectum first attracts notice 
on account of the large quantities of ffeces which are passed, and the 
long intervals between the acts of defsecation, which only becomes difficult 
when actual paralysis has occurred; the rectum is then distended with 
dung, which requires to be removed manually. Cases occur which 
require to be daily assisted in this way. Sometimes paralysis of the 
levator coccygis exists simultaneously, and then the tail swings to and 
fro as the animal walks, and the hair becomes soiled with urine and Pieces. 
After a certain time incontinence of urine sets in, the bladder becomes 
distended, and urine flows away continuously (ischuria paradoxa); still 
later sacral paralysis with atrophy of the muscles of the haunch occurs 
(compare with sacral paralysis). Sometimes pruritus exists about the 
hind-quarters. 
