DISEASES OF CATTLE 133 



and a little grass. When signs of returning strength are presented, 

 12 ounces of Epsom salts dissolved in a quart of warm water may be 

 given in those cases which have been down and unconscious, but do 

 not give it while much weakness remains, which may be for several 

 days after the attack. The flesh of an animal that is suffering from 

 heat stroke should not be prepared for use as food. On account of 

 the fever with which the animal suffers, the flesh contains toxins that 

 may render it poisonous to the consumer. 



INJURIES TO THE SPINAL COED. 



The spinal cord is liable to concussion from blows and falls, and 

 paralysis, to a greater or less extent, may be the result. Fracture, 

 with displacement of the bones (vertebrae) which form the spinal col- 

 umn, by compressing the spinal cord, produces paralysis, which va- 

 ries in its effect according to the part of the cord that is compressed. 

 If the fracture is above the middle of the neck, death soon follows, as 

 communication between the brain and diaphragm (the essential 

 muscle of inspiration) is stopped. When the fracture is farther 

 down in the neck, posterior to the origin of the phrenic nerve, the 

 breathing continues, but there is paralysis in all parts posterior to the 

 fracture, including the fore and hind legs. When the fracture is in 

 the region of the loins the hind legs are paralyzed, but the fore legs 

 are not. If the fracture is in the sacrum (the division of the spinal 

 column between the loins and the tail), the tail alone is paralyzed. 



As a matter of course, when the back is broken there is no rem- 

 edy ; the animal should be killed at once. 



PARALYSIS. 



Paralysis, or loss of motion in a part, may be due to a lesion of 

 the brain, of the spinal cord, or of a nerve. It may also be caused 

 by reflex irritation. When the paralysis affects both sides of the 

 body, posterior to a point, it is further designated by the name para- 

 plegia. When one side of the body (a lateral half) is paralyzed, the 

 term hemiplegia is applied to the affection. When paralysis is caused 

 by a lesion of a nerve, the paralysis is confined to the particular part 

 supplied by the affected nerve. 



As already pointed out, paralysis may be due to concussion of 

 the spine, fracture of a bone of the spinal column with consequent 

 compression of the spinal cord, concussion of the brain, or compres- 

 sion of the brain. An injury to one side of the brain may produce 

 paralysis of the same side of the head, and of the opposite side of the 

 body hemiplegia. Paralysis may occur in connection with parturient 

 apoplexy, lead poisoning, ergotism, etc. 



Rabies (Hydrophobia). See discussion of this disease on pages 

 235-240. 



LIGHTNING STROKE (ASPHYXIA ELECTRICA). 



When an animal is struck by lightning the shock is instantan- 

 eously expended on the nervous system, and as a rule death occurs 

 immediately, but when the shock is not fatal animation is suspended 

 to a greater or less extent, as evidenced by prostration, unconscious- 

 ness, and paralysis. 



