

THE HORSE. 153 



Paralysis. 



The loss of the use of any limb or function, through 

 injury to the brain, the nerves, or the muscles, is 

 paralysis. 



Horses labouring under a liability to this disease are, 

 on some occasions, deprived instantaneously of the use 

 of the part so affected ; as, for example, a horse will 

 become paralysed in his leg while he is in action. I 

 have known horses, while trotting or galloping rapidly, 

 to be deprived momentarily of the use of a leg to the 

 great risk of the rider, and, after a few moments, 

 to recover the use as suddenly, and proceed as well 

 as ever, until again attacked. A horse liable to 

 paralysis is UNSOUND. 



Until this disease has endured long enough to shrink 

 or partially wither the muscles, it is not easily detected 

 by those who are not conversant with the symptoms. 



Paralysis must not be associated with " shrunk 

 muscles " when the muscles are shrunk from other 

 causes. 



Humours. 



Humour is a term applied to swelling of the legs and 

 other parts of the horse, and to small spots on the body 

 which denote a want of medicine or bleeding. When 

 humour arises from weakness or overwork, tonics should 

 be applied occasionally, but as they are not popularly 



