Text book of veterinary medicine, Volume 3 (of 5)Law, James
Science
Text book of veterinary medicine, Volume 3 (of 5)
Law, James
Veterinary medicine
_Treatment_: Unless in the very early stages even a partial recovery is
not to be looked for. By a run at grass or by gentle well regulated
exercise the impaired nerves and muscles may be educated to a better
control for a limited period but the progress of the disease is not
really arrested and the final issue is likely to be ruinous. Even in
man, where 90 per cent. of the cases are connected with syphilis, the
fibroid hyperplasia (sclerosis) is not remedied asgummata are, by
mercury and iodides. In the soliped, where no such specific disease can
be charged, the repair of the structural changes is no more hopeful. The
many different methods of treatment in man,—electricity, blisters,
firing, stretching of the spine, stretching, of the sciatic and crural
nerves,—though inducing transient improvement in many cases, produce no
real permanent benefit, and are to be remanded to the region of psychic
inferences which have little or no place in the therapeutics of the
lower animals. Strychnia, veratrin and other spinal stimulants are of
little permanent value. A general hygienic and corroborative treatment
may be used with the view of retarding the progress of the disease
rather than of curing it. Open air exercise, sunshine, succulent
pasturage, an ample supply of pure water, and active grooming are
valuable. Nourishing food is all important. Lecithin or the hypodermic
injection of spermin or other rich albuminous animal product is useful.
A course of bicarbonate of soda and carbonate of iron with or without
bitters may be tried. When the animal must be kept on dry winter food,
he should have free access to common salt and water. This favors at once
absorption, assimilation, and elimination, and by fostering nutrition
and the removal of waste matters, it contributes to keep the disease in
abeyance. Phosphoric acid and the various phosphates have been largely
used and largely rejected, their main value being in the tonic effect on
the spinal centres. Trasbot especially recommends the neutral gelatinoid
phosphate of lime as having proved especially valuable in his hands. He
gave from 1 grain upward to dogs twice a day.
ARTERITIS (THROMBOSIS, EMBOLISM) OF THE SPINAL CORD AND MEMBRANES.
Conditions of spinal circulation favorable to embolism and microbian
invasion. Slow currents. Blood stasis. Free anastomosis a
compensation. Symptoms. Treatment.
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