Owing to the propensity to lick and the danger of absorption, poisonous agents are virtually proscribed. Yet Möller advises cantharides, croton oil, mercuric iodide, and oil of mustard, and Trasbot restricts the choice to tartar emetic one part to sixteen parts of lard. This the latter rubs softly along the spine for several minutes. If the dog is closely watched or muzzled this or the mustard or croton oil may be admissible. If otherwise, a long-haired dog may be rubbed on the spine with a combination in equal parts of strong aqua ammonia and olive oil; or it may have applied for some minutes wet cloths rather hotter than the hands can bear; or a light cauterization may be made with a Paquelin cautery. At this stage, too, bitters and phosphate of lime may be given. Trasbot has long used with the best results 1 grain doses of neutral, gelatinoid phosphate of lime, repeated two or three times a day. Iron may also be resorted to, or sulphate of zinc. Strychnia and electricity are also of great value as soon as the irritability of the spinal centres will allow of their safe employment. Massage and gentle exercise are important.
From the first, attention must be given to obviate the retention of urine and fæces, and the strict antisepsis or asepsis of the catheter adopted to prevent infective cystitis and nephritis.
Throughout the disease abundant nourishment of an easily digestible quality is demanded. Cleanliness, pure air and general comfort must not be forgotten.
CHRONIC MYELITIS. SCLEROSIS.
Sequel to acute. Result of sprains and spinal injuries. Symptoms: paresis on exertion, lameness in one or more limbs, knuckling, circumductive movement of feet, uncertain planting, dropping, worse if blinded, phenomena progressive. Lesions: sclerosis of cord; absorption of nerve cells and fibres, in gray horns, and columns, superior, lateral and inferior, cord, altered in color, unduly firm, in points softening. Stains deeply in carmine, lightly in osmic acid or hæmatoxylin. Meninges thickened, nerve roots atrophied. Diagnosis: previous acute myelitis; later muscular weakness, and paresis, under exercise; from embolism. Treatment: hopeless if advanced: progress delayed only. Good hygiene, tonics, open air, gentle exercise, pure water, grooming, succulent pasture, nourishing food, alkalines, common salt, phosphates.
Cases of this kind have not been satisfactorily diagnosed, and as a rule domestic animals affected with partial paralysis are rarely allowed to live in a condition in which they are offensive to themselves and owners, a source of constant expense with little or no hope of recovery nor profit. Again, in the case of the large mammals, the prolonged recumbency and the low grade of nutrition in the semi-paralyzed parts, usually entail unhealthy sores and septic poisoning which sooner or later prove fatal. It is only, therefore, in the slighter cases, in which a fair measure of control over the limbs remains, that these cases are likely to survive. Trasbot suggests that many cases which pass for lumbar sprains are really chronic myelitis and on careful examination will show spinal sclerosis.
Causes. These are largely speculative, yet doubtless the same causes which determine the acute form, will produce the chronic when acting with less force and greater persistency. The lesions that are left after an acute attack are calculated to keep up a measure of vascular and trophic disorder which will be found associated with more or less sclerosis.
Symptoms. In Weber’s case in the horse (Recueil de Med. Vet., 1884, p. 432) the advance was slow, so that for nearly a year the manifestations were not diagnostic. At first there was weakness of the hind limbs when worked to fatigue. Perfect rest led to improvement, and work, to aggravation which became steadily worse and worse. For a length of time the horse maintained good condition, glossy skin, elevated head, alert expression, keen sight and hearing, and normal breathing and pulse. Standing in the stall there was no abnormal position of the limbs, nor evidence of lack of perfect control.
But when moved all this was changed. He showed first lameness in the right fore limb and soon in all four members. The feet were swung and planted uncertainly, the animal swayed and staggered, the limb would knuckle over at the knee or fetlock, or bend at the hock, and be recovered with difficulty. After going slowly for a few steps he moved with greater freedom though still with difficulty, and the trouble was greatly aggravated when the eyes were blindfolded. Then every step threatened to precipitate him to the ground. The symptoms were essentially those of locomotor ataxy.
The tactile sensibility was unimpaired, the loins had the normal sensibility, urination and defecation were natural and the appetite remained good. After ten months he showed loss of condition, dullness of the special senses, stupor, and a special sensitiveness about the head, and resented its handling.