DISEASES OF HORSES 399 



Treatment for Paralysis. In all paralytic affections there may 

 be anesthesia, or impairment of sensibility, in addition to the loss of 

 motion, or there may be hyperesthesia, or increased sensibility, in 

 connection with the loss of motion. These conditions may call for 

 special treatment in addition to that for loss of motion. Where 

 hyperesthesia is well marked local anodynes may be needed to relieve 

 suffering. Chloroform liniment or hypodermic injections of from. 

 3 to 5 grains of sulphate of morphia will allay local pain. If there 

 is marked anesthesia, or loss of sensibility, it may become necessary 

 to secure the animal in such a way that he can not suffer serious in- 

 jury from accidents w r hich he can not avoid or feel. In the treat- 

 ment of any form of paralysis we must always refer to the cause, and 

 attempt its removal if it can be discovered. In cases where the 

 cause can not be determined we have to rely solely upon a general 

 external and internal treatment. Externally, fly blisters or strong 

 irritant liniments may be applied to the paralyzed parts. In hemi- 

 plegia they should be applied along the bony part of the side of the 

 neck, in paraplegia, across the loins. In some cases hot-water cloths 

 will be beneficial. Internally, it is well to administer 1 dram of 

 powdered nux vomica or 2 grains of sulphate of strychnia twice a 

 day until twitching of some of the voluntary muscles occurs; then 

 discontinue it for several days, and then commence again with a 

 smaller dose, gradually increasing it until twitching recurs. Iodide 

 of potash in 1 to 2 dram doses two or three times daily may be em- 

 ployed with the hope that it will favor the absorption of the clot or 

 obstruction to the nervous current. In some cases Fowler's solution 

 of arsenic in teaspoonful doses twice a day in the drinking water 

 proves beneficial. Occasionally benefit may be derived from the 

 application of the electric current, especially in cases of roaring, 

 facial paralysis, paralysis of the eyelid, etc. Nutritious but not 

 too bulky food, good ventilation, clean stabling, moderate exercise 

 if the animal is capable of taking it, good grooming, etc., should 

 be observed in all cases. 



SPINAL MENINGITIS, OR INFLAMMATION OF THE MEMBRANES 

 ENVELOPING THE SPINAL CORD. 



Causes. This may be induced by the irritant properties of 

 blood poisons, exhaustion and exposure, spinal concussion, all forms 

 of injury to the spine, tumors, caries of the vertebrae, rheumatism, 

 etc. 



Symptoms. A chill may be the precursor, a rise in tempera- 

 ture, or a general weakness and shifting of the legs. Soon a painful, 

 convulsive twitching of the muscles sets in, followed by muscular 

 rigidity along the spine, in which condition the animal will move 

 very stiffly and evince great pain in turning. Evidences of paralysis 

 or paraplegia develop, retention or incontinence of urine, and often- 

 times sexual excitement is present. The prasence of marked fever 

 at the beginning of the attack, associated with spinal symptoms 

 should lead us to suspect spinal meningitis. These two conditions 

 usually appear together, or myelitis follows inflammation of the 

 meninges so closely that it is almost impossible to separate the two; 



