cause; injuries such as strains and blows in the region of the back may
also cause it; compression of the spinal cord by the vertebrae is no doubt
a very common cause; dislocation, enlargement of the disks between the
vertebrae, bony enlargements resulting from strains and injuries, rickets,
tuberculosis and actinomycosis and tumors commonly cause compression of the
cord. It is rarely caused by parasites. Young, fat animals are especially
prone to injuries in the region of the back. Such animals may suffer from
malnutrition of the bones, and complete fractures of the thigh bones may
occur. Extreme heat from the sun's rays and close, hot quarters are
probable causes.

_The symptom_ that is most prominent is the partial or complete loss of
control over the movements of the hind parts. The appetite may be little
interfered with. The animal may sit on the haunches, with the limbs
projecting forward, or swing the hind quarters from side to side in walking
or trotting. Irregularity in the animal's movements is especially
noticeable when turning or backing. In case the animal suffers pain, the
spine is held rigid or arched, and when forced to move, marked evidence of
pain occurs. There may be a decrease or increase in the sensibility of the
part. The increase in sensibility is noticed on striking the muscles with
the hand or rubbing the hair the wrong way. Spasmodic twitching or
contractions in the muscles sometimes occur. There is frequent elevation of
temperature. The animal is unable to pass urine or faeces, or there may be
an involuntary passage of the body excretions.

The outcome of this disease is unfavorable. Acute inflammation of the
covering of the cord may subside within a few days. Cases that do not
recover within a few weeks should be destroyed. Paralysis of the hind parts
should not be confused with rheumatism, azoturia and other disorders that
may interfere with the movements of the posterior portion of the body.