Paralysis 299 



control of certain muscles. This condition persists 

 for some time, or may be more or less permanent. 

 Apoplectic fits come on suddenly, and, after the ani- 

 mal gains consciousness, recovery is slow. Parturient 

 apoplexy in cows is a different disease. See page 212. 

 An animal that has had a stroke of apoplexy is of 

 little value and treatment is seldom worth while. 



PARALYSIS 



True paralysis is a lack of control of muscles, 

 caused, in most cases, by injuries to the nerves. In 

 all diseases where there is total or partial unconscious- 

 ness, there is a lack of control; but, in true paralysis, the 

 animal appears well, except that certain muscles are 

 weak and flabby, and the animal has little or no con- 

 trol over them. There is no pain, unless associated 

 with an injury or caused by the pressure of a tumor. 

 In old animals, there is often a paralysis of some of the 

 muscles of the face. As a result, the healthy muscles 

 pull the affected ones in the opposite direction, giving 

 the face a wry appearance. Paralysis resulting from an 

 injury usually disappears as the part returns to its 

 normal state. In certain cases, rubbing the affected 

 muscles with a stimulating liniment, and giving nux 

 vomica internally, may be beneficial. Electricity is use- 

 ful in some instances. Tincture of nux vomica may 

 be given in doses of one drop (for a small dog) to 

 thirty drops (for a horse), three times daily. Should 

 any twitching of the muscles occur, the dose should 

 be reduced or stopped altogether. 



