294 
SOCIETY MEETINGS. 
flex of the tendons and periosteum appears distinctly increased. 
The hind extremities show considerably increased patellar re¬ 
flex and also intense clonus of the foot (reflex of the Achillean 
tendon). The muscles of the posterior extremities are in a kind 
of tonic state. The gait of the hind extremities is paretic- 
spastic. The reflex of the cutis appears to be normal. Trophic 
lesions are not present. Disturbances in the function of the 
rectum and bladder are also absent. By request some milk was 
given to the dog ; I now notice that there were beginning dis¬ 
turbances in swallowing. The lower lip appears somewhat 
flabby and is hanging down. The voice of the dog is also 
changed. This was told me from the owner before. Those 
last mentioned symptoms speak clearly for pathological altera¬ 
tions in the medulla, while atrophy of the optic nerves is due 
to cerebral alterations. The paraplegia of the posterior extremi¬ 
ties I consider due to chronic alterations within the lateral and 
anterior tracts of the spinal fcord. 
It is easily understood, that the clinical symptoms of multi¬ 
ple sclerosis of the brain and spinal cord can be very variable 
according to the localization of those sclerotic alterations. In 
this case, according to the clinical symptoms, I localized the 
sclerotic alterations principally within the occipital lobes of the 
hemispheres, within the medulla oblongata, pons Varoli, and 
within the spinal cord from the thoracic to the lumbar region. 
I base my diagnosis upon the following facts : 
1. Upon the slow progressive paralysis, any new formation 
(tumor) would have been of a quicker course and would have 
revealed other clinical symptoms besides. 
2. Upon the condition of the whole system of the dog; 
upon the clinical examination of the heart, which proved to me 
alteration of the ascendant aorta, principally insufficiency and 
most probably aneurism—obesity of the heart. These reasons 
are strengthened by the jnodus vivendi of the animal—that is, 
absolutely wrong diet and lack of exercise. 
The sclerosis I consider due to alterations of very fine blood 
vessels of the central nervous system, perhaps due to arterio¬ 
sclerosis or fatty degeneration of the miiscular coat. Those 
arterio-sclerotic alterations are very often followed by throm¬ 
boses and embolisms. 
As the prognosis was very bad, I advised the owner to de¬ 
stroy the dog, which was done. It was, however, impossible for 
me to obtain the dog for an autopsy, as the owner did not want 
to have him cut up. 
