2     THE INDIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCE AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY. [VII, I

In all cases paresis of both the hind legs (paraplegia) was present. This
was shown by the characteristic stance—the paretic hind legs being held wide
apart and the fore legs being carried backward under the body to bear more than
their share of the body-weight and by the marked inability to back without
dragging their toes along and tending to fall. The paraplegia in every animal
was of the spastic kind (spasm and rigidity), there being neither flaccidity nor
wasting of the muscles of the limbs showing loss of strength. In almost all the
cases, it was noticed, that one hind limb, usually the near hind, was more affected
than the other. It was further observed, that in the untreated cases the paresis
was distinctly progressive.

The gait in each case was that of spastic paraplegia combined with ataxy.
The spastic element in the gait was shown by the dragging of the hind limbs slowly
forward with the toes scraping the ground, very little flexion of hocks, pronounced
circumduction, specially noticed during a trot when the legs were swung out-
ward in an attempt to clear the ground, and the hind quarters showing the charac-
teristic swinging and strong adduction spasm, so that the legs both in walking
and trotting tended to cross each other. In two cases, the spastic element was,
indeed, so pronounced, that the gait actually assumed a " hopping " character.
The ataxic element of the gait was evidenced by the fact that, during walking,
the hind feet were lifted hesitatingly and incompletely from the ground, as though
in an attempt to correct the imperfect muscular sense. This imperfect muscular
sense was clearly seen in backing—all the animals showing great lack of con-
fidence, dragging their toes along, and tending to fall when backed quickly. The
ataxic element of the gait was particularly well brought out, when the animals
were made to turn; they lifted their limbs very cautiously, invariably crossed
them, and tended to fall when turned rapidly.

Two cases showed distinct tremor of muscles on attempting to move some-
what similar to the volitional or so called " intention tremor " seen in insular
sclerosis. The tremor was most marked in the hind legs. It was absent, when
the animals were at rest, and practically unnoticed during slow walk, but when-
ever the animals were made to trot, a course of jerky twitching of the muscles,
frequently convulsive throwing up of the hind legs, invariably occurred.

In no case was any loss of sensation observed. On the contrary, all cases
showed lumbar hyperalgesia, as evidenced by the visible wincing and crouching
caused by pressure over the loins. As regards the vesical and rectal sphincters,
in no case were they found to be affected.

                    EXAMINATION OF FAECES

Repeated microscopic examination of the faeces and scraping from selected
areas of intestinal mucosa was carried out. Almost all cases showed eggs of
round worms but the ova of schistosomes were not encountered.