Myclitis (myelos, 'marrow') is the term employed to signify inflammation of the substance of the spinal cord. It may be either acute or chronic, but the latter is by far the most common affection. The chronic form begins with a little uneasiness in the spine, somewhat disordered sensations in the extremities, and unusual fatigue after any slight exertion. After a short time paralytic symptoms appear, and slowly increase. The gait becomes uncertain and tottering, and at length the limbs fail to support the body. The paralysis finally attacks the bladder and rectum, and the evacuations are discharged involuntarily; and death takes place as the result of exhaustion, or occasionally of asphyxia if the paralysis involves the chest. In the acute form the symptoms are the same as those of the chronic form, but they occur more rapidly and with greater severity, and death sometimes takes place in a few days. Pain may be present in the spine, or in the parts of the body whose nerves proceed from the diseased area of the spinal cord; but it is not usually a prominent symptom when the morbid process begins in the cord itself.
The most common causes of this disease are falls, blows, and strains from over-exertion; but sexual abuses and intemperate habits occasionally induce it. It may also result from other diseases of the spine (as caries), or may be propagated from inflammation of the corresponding tissue of the brain. The treatment, which is much the same as that of inflammation elsewhere, must be confided entirely to the medical practitioner; and it is therefore unnecessary to enter into any details regarding it. When confirmed paralysis has set in there is little to hope for, but in the early stage the disease is often checked by judicious remedies.