RADIAL PARALYSIS IN THE HORSE. 7 1 



versa), and paralysis occurs from continued pressure. If, under such 

 circumstances, the horse cannot stand on the diseased foot, it is 

 evidently in great danger. 



Diagnosis presents no difficulty except in partial paralysis. It 

 should be remembered that in most attacks of this kind, when the horse 

 is trotted, the point of the shoulder is jerked forward each time the limb 

 comes to the ground, while lameness is marked. You will therefore not 

 confuse this peculiar jerking movement of the point of the shoulder 

 with deviation outwards — a symptom peculiar to paralysis of the supra- 

 scapular nerve before the postea-spinatus muscle becomes atrophied. 

 The symptoms of complete radial paralysis are at first sight somewhat 

 alarming, and explain the view so often taken by owners, dealers, and 

 quacks, that the arm or one of the phalanges is fractured. Differential 

 diagnosis is too simple to require my speaking on it at length. Fracture 

 of the elbow and inflammation of muscle, due to haemoglobinuria or to 

 over-exertion, are both clearly indicated by their respective symptoms. 



As radial paralysis often follows casting, precautions should be 

 taken against it, the animal being kept down as short a time as 

 possible, awkward positions being avoided, and if necessary the twitch 

 being applied to diminish struggling. 



Curative treatment is similar to that of other paral3-ses of peripheral 

 origin. It consists in massage of the affected parts, cold douches, 

 local hypodermic injections of \eratrine or salt solution, the induced 

 electric current, and the administration of potassium iodide or sodium 

 salicylate. 



In complete paralysis it is often advantageous to sling the animal 

 for a week or two. Massage and cold douches, or light blisters and 

 exercise, are usually sufficient. As soon as the affected muscles begin 

 to recover their contractility, improvement rapidly follows on exercitiC. 

 The animal only requires to be moved for fifteen or twenty minutes 

 night and morning, and left at liberty in a box. Electricity — and 

 particularly the faradic current — is at present rarely employed. I have 

 not used it in any of my cases. Salicylate of soda is only indicated 

 when the existence of rheumatism is feared. I prescribe potassium 

 iodide with the object of assisting reabsorption of exudate in the 

 traumatic area, an exudate which might otherwise become organised, 

 with serious consequences to the affected ner\e. 



More complex treatment has been recommended, but the above is 

 that almost always followed. 



Radial paralysis, I may remark in conclusion, tends naturally 

 towards recovery. 



