Myelitis

Inflammation of the spinal cord. The term is generic, including various forms of a more or le arbitrary character, depending upon cause, location, etc. The principal forms are acute myelitis and acute anterior polio-myelitis. Acute myelitis is acute softening of the cord, occurs at all ages, and is due to various causes, trauma, syphilis, exposure to cold, etc. The symptoins are more or le pain and suspended function of the parts supplied with nerves from the cord below the site of lesion. Acute anterior polio-myelitis. infantile paralysis, commonly occurs in children under three years of age. It is characterized by fever, lo of power in certain muscles, and rapid atrophy. The cause is attributed to cold, dentition, and over-exertion.