PALSY. 137 



the fii'st affects the muscles of one side of the body ; the second 

 affects those of the hind extremities; the third affects the 

 muscles of the face — generally only one side. Also, certain 

 internal organs become paralyzed for a short time, as the blad- 

 der, rectum, etc. 



Spnj)to7ns. — When a horse is attacked with paralysis of one 

 side, called hemi])lcgia, if it is complete, he falls on that side 

 and is unable to rise ; but if it is only partial, he stands still ; 

 or if he attempts to move, the limbs of the affected side are 

 only dragged along. The sense of feeling is lost in the affected 

 part. If the hind parts are affected, called i)eri]jlegia, the horse 

 falls on his haunches, like a dog, and, for a time, makes great 

 efforts to get up, but finding his labor unavailing, he becomes 

 resigned to his fate, and drags his hind parts along. He loses 

 control of his bladder and bowels, and their contents pass off 

 involuntarily. Partial palsy affects the muscles of one or both 

 sides of the face, which is generally drawn upward, and the 

 horse presents a hideous countenance. 



Causes. — Derangement of the nerves is the cause of palsy. 

 The nerves lose their power over the muscles. Derangement 

 of the digestive organs may cause palsy. Injury of the spine, 

 by falls, blows, kicks, etc., may injure the spinal cord, and 

 cause an attack of palsy. Palsy of the face is sometimes a 

 symptom of apoplexy. The exact cause of this, like most 

 other nervous diseases, is not well understood. 



Treoiment. — But little can be expected from any remedy in 

 a case of palsy, resulting from injury of the spinal cord. 

 Draw a large blister over the loins, or the seat of the injury, 

 bleed freely, and give a physic. After all symptoms of in- 

 flammation have disappeared, give tincture of nux vomica, 

 one dram at a dose, twice a day; the dose to be gradually in- 

 creased to two drams; to be given in water, as a drench, or, 

 if the horse is thirsty, it may be given in a bucket of water. 



Where the disease is probably dependent on derangement 

 of the digestive organs, put the horse on the treatment recom- 



