TREATMENT. 391 



for some days by means of the food ; while succeeding the 

 exhibition of the cathartic, good will generally result from the 

 administration daily, or tAvice daily, of^^J)aILcm]iainin^idoes, 

 assafoetida, gentian, and ginger, or some similar tonic and 

 stomachic agentsT^In cases where weakness of the posterior 

 extremities continues after the action of the purgative has 

 subsided, and after they have received for a few days the 

 medicines mentioned, it may in some instances be needful 

 to apply a moderate stimulant or blister to the loins or the 

 poll. 



A regular daily application of soap liniment may serve for 

 the former situation, but cantharides will be needful for the 

 latter. However, a little patience is often better than inju- 

 dicious haste in such cases, and a little time and perfect quiet- 

 ness are to be preferred to meddlesome interference. Unless 

 the horse is weak from being previously in low condition, a 

 second dose of laxative medicine, followed by some diuretics, a 

 week or more after the first, had better be given before he is 

 put to work. If, however, the physical strength of the animal 

 does not seem good, it will be better, instead of the second 

 dose of purging medicine, to continue the ball_first recom- 

 mended, or to alternate it with another somewhat^milax^om- 

 posed of aloes, iron, gentian, and ginger, or aloes, nux vomica, 

 and gentian^ In some animals of peculiar temperament, and 

 where there seems much danger of their damaging themselves, 

 it may be advisable, either before or after the exhibition of the 

 purgmg medicine, to place them in slings, by which they are 

 steadied, kept at rest, and prevented from injuring themselves. 

 This, however, is only needful in exceptional cases. 



As a rule it will not be found that recoveries from this 

 affection are protracted. Unless complicated with some other 

 disease, or, what is very serious, a previously disordered 

 nervous system, amendment is usually observable in from one 

 to two days after removal from the deleterious grasses, or cer- 

 tainly following the action of the purgative ; the steady resto- 

 ration of function to complete control over the movements of 

 the limbs being usually completed in from seven to ten days. 



When restored to health there does not appear to be left any 

 weakness, or disposition to again become affected, unless 

 placed under the influence of similar agencies. 



