202 
A. LIAUTARD. 
patient to fall to the ground. The activity diminishes and move¬ 
ment becomes difficult, the portions of the body most affected 
being the hind quarters; the croup moves laterally, and the mem¬ 
bers creak during walking ; the legs being dragged, and lameness 
manifesting itself in one or the other leg. In other cases the 
hocks and fetlocks flex suddenly, the hinder extremities are 
thrown forward, but with effort, and at times the animal falls to 
the ground, making no immediate attempt to rise. The symp¬ 
toms are analagous to those of locomotor ataxia in man, and from 
this time the lols of flesh becomes more rapid, and the paraplegic 
symptoms increase, until the animal becomes quite unable to keep 
his feet. 
Then the flanks are retracted, the belly drawn in, the ribs be¬ 
come prominent, the shoulders atrophied, the hips angular and 
hollowed, and finally bed-sores make their appearance, with com¬ 
plications of arthritis, fractures and ruptures of ligaments as the 
final accessories of torture and destruction, and the poor beast 
succumbs to a dismal fate. Paralysis of either one of the ears or 
of the lips sometimes appears, to complete the disease, while 
again, still further complications of laminitis, pneumonia, enteritis 
and purulent infections are not unfrequently added to the inci¬ 
dents and causes of death. 
Progress , duration and termination .—The disease is always 
slow in its course, and appears to possess a chronic character, 
modified by intermittent symptoms, which are followed by par¬ 
oxysms. 
•/ 
The duration of the disease is a very variable feature. Re¬ 
covery may take place, especially in mares, within two months, 
but, on the other hand, animals may succumb to an attack within 
the same period, especially if of feeble habit and debilitated con¬ 
stitution. 
From six to eight months is the ordinary duration ; it seldom 
lasts beyond that period in mares, although in stallions it may 
persist for an entire year. Exceptional cases of three, four and 
five years’ duration are recorded. 
Recovery by natural process, or from spontaneous causes, is 
rare, and when it takes place must be attributed to the influence 
