744 



Paralj'sis of the Sciatic Nerve. 



no similar symptoms were observed. Serini records the occurrence of 

 a condition resembling sciatica in the dog. 



Cattle that are so affected hold all the joints of the diseased limb in 

 a position of moderate flexion, and from time to time draw it slowly 

 up to the abdomen as if trying to ease the pain. They look round 

 at the belly at times, and start at every sound. An attempt is made 

 to prevent passive movements, and if one succeeds in extending the 

 limb passively the animal is likely to fall. Turning round is avoided 

 as much as possilile. During movement, the animals hop on the sound 

 limb, the diseased leg being dragged along cautiously. There is pain 

 on pressure along the course of the sciatic nerve. (Giovanoli, Schw. 

 A., 1891, XXXIII, 181.— Serini, 0. M., 1893, 316.) 



Paralyis of the Tibial Nerve. 



Paralysis of the tibial nerve alone is a 

 very rare condition. Only a small 

 number have been recorded, a few in 

 the horse (Moller, Pr. Mil. Vb., 1893) 

 and one in the cow (Schultz). 



The animal was unable to extend 

 the hock, and flex the joints of the foot. 

 When the hock is motionless, the af- 

 fected foot is somewhat flexed (fig. 

 107), but during movement there is ex- 

 cessive flexion of all the joints ; and the 

 foot is put do^^^l awkwardly, the move- 

 ments recalling those of a fowl walking. 

 It is not impossible for the foot to bear 

 weight because the hock joint is fixed 

 by the gastrocnemius tendon. The mus- 

 cles on the posterior surface of the lower 

 thigh, and the flexor pedis are relaxed 

 and soon atrophy. 



Cramp of the Muscles of the Tibia. 



This condition has ])een frequently ob- 

 served in the horse (Strauss, Duschanek 

 and Hauptmann). The affected leg is 

 extended and directed somewhat back- 

 wards, and quite immobile. Neither ac- 

 tive nor passive movements can be made. 

 The tendo Achillis is tense and hard ; 

 and there is a deep groove between it 

 and the gemelli. At best, the animal can take only a few steps with the 

 other legs. The cramp is accentuated by mechanical and thermal stimuli. 

 The condition lasts at most from a few hours to a day, but very ex- 

 ceptionally for longer periods. The condition can easily be confounded 

 with outward luxation of the patella. (Duschanek, T. Z., 1906, 283.— 

 Hauptmann, ibid., 1906, 371.) 



Paralysis of the External Popliteal Nerve. Paralysis of the per- 

 oneus is of very rare occurrence. Fillecke saw a case in a cow that had 

 caught its foot between two boards. Szidon records a case in a dog in 

 which the nerve was subjected to pressure by a shot, while in one 

 case in a dog, the paralysis was caused by creeping under the bed. 

 The condition has been observed in the horse by Darrou, the cause 



107. PaiahMs of tlu" ti 

 neive (MoUei ) . 



