CORRESPONDENCE. 
259 
the heat of the weather. But on seeing the case this morning, 
and from the history of the mules (1 and 2,) which had not been 
worked in from four to six days before the attack, and as in none 
of the cases was there the slightest swelling of the throat, I have 
come to the conclusion to diagnose this disease as “cerebro-spinal- 
meningitis. ” I thought just now that I would look up Williams 
on the subject, but find nothing but the description of the disease 
by Dr. C. P. Lyman, as it appeared in New York, in 1871. He 
does not speak of any affection of the throat. 
CORRESPONDENCE. 
SPINAL MENINGITIS IN SPRINGFIELD, MASS. 
Springfield, Mass., July 23d, 1881. 
Editor American Veterinary Review : 
Dear Sir :—I wish to give you a few notes concerning the 
disease which has been somewhat rife here this season ; not that 
the notes are of any value or interest, but simply because I said I 
would do so. Spinal Meningitis (?) 
It appears to be a febrile disease characterized by paralysis, 
partial or total, of the posterior extremities. It is epidemic in its 
nature, and from what I have seen and can ascertain, it for the 
most part affects mares; and as the urino-genital organs are usu¬ 
ally affected, perhaps the question might be asked, is the con¬ 
dition of oestrum in any way predisposing to the disease ? 
The premonitory symptoms are febrile, temperature 102° to 
103° usually, respiration hurried, pulse quick and small, slight 
running at nose, etc. Usually in two or three days’ time there is 
a stiff, straddling gait in the hinder limbs, followed by loss of 
power, it may be, so that the animal is unable to stand. If the 
premonitory symptoms are neglected, not unfrequently the animal 
will fall down in harness, in which case the result is often unfavor¬ 
able, whereas if taken in time, recovery would seem to be the rule. 
The appetite is singularly good, and beyond the facts above stated 
there is but little disturbance. In one case only was there a vio¬ 
lent natural perspiration, and as this was a bad case, and made a 
