PARALYSIS. 279 



apart, and look more like wooden stilts than living structures. The tail 

 is upraised, the belly is tense and tucked up, and the muscles everywhere 

 stand out prominent and rigid. 



The Voluntary muscles of the internal structures are similarly affected. 

 The Involuntary muscles of the intestines on the other hand are torpid, 

 because the nervous force seems to be monopolised in the voluntary 

 muscles. Hence arises the obstinate constipation, which forms so marked 

 a feature in this disease. 



Notwithstanding the intense contraction and rigidity of the muscles, 

 the patient is highly sensitive, and shrinks from the slightest touch or 

 approach to a touch. The mere fact of entering the animal's box is 

 frequently sufficient to produce violent tetanic convulsions. He sweats 

 profusely and groans from pain. A very marked symptom of the disease 

 consists in rapid protrusion of the haw over the eye, if the horse is 

 touched under the chin, or if his head is elevated. 



567. Immediate cause and seat of this disease. 



Science of late years has made known to us the immediate cause of 

 this terrible disease, namely, a microbe the tetanus bacillus which 

 multiplies in wounds or the tissue in their neighbourhood, and generates 

 a poison which is absorbed and exerts its injurious effects on the spinal 

 cord. 



That such is really the cause can be proved by inoculating a sound 

 horse with an artificial culture of the bacillus in question, this being fol- 

 lowed by the onset of symptoms identical with those seen in an ordinary 

 attack of tetanus. 



568. Treatment. 



Science has taught the cause, an diet us hope that before long science 

 may find the remedy. There are good hopes. 



N.B. The Author is indebted to Prof. McFadyean, E.Y.C., for the 

 latest views on this subject. 



CHAPTER 33A. 



PARALYSES. 



569. Electricity. 569d. Nature of Paralysis. 5695. Classes of Para- 

 lysis. 569c. Causes of Hemiplegia. 569d. Symptoms of Hemiplegia. 

 569e. Treatment. 569/. Symptoms of Paraplegia. 5690. Causes of 

 Paraplegia. 5697?'. Treatment. 569i. Local Paralysis. 569J. Symptoms. 

 669k. Treatment. 



569. Electricity. 



With the increase of knowledge in the control of this force, it is 

 becoming more generally used in the treatment of certain diseases as 



