748 Paralysis of the Sacral Plexus. Paralysis of the Gluteal Nerve. 



13. Paralysis of the Sacral Plexus. 



One case each of this kind has been recorded by Thomassen and by 

 Cadeac in horses in which there was gradual atrophy of the muscles 

 of the near hind leg, and also very marked atrophy of the muscles of 

 the left side of the croup. In Thomassen 's case the diseased leg was 

 lifted quickly upwards and inwards, and put down clumsily, there 

 being flexion of the fetlock joint. The left half of the croup, the outer 

 and posterior surfaces of the thigh, and the portion of the leg below 

 the stifle w^ere insensitive. Electrical and mechanical stimulation of 

 the muscles were without effect. In Cadeac 's case the animal lay for 

 the most part on the sound side, or was unable to rise after lying on 

 the diseased side. Thomassen found marked thickening of all the 

 nerves of the sacral plexus, an increase in the amount of epi- and 

 perineural connective tissue, with atrophy of the nerve fibers. These 

 lesions were probably caused by over-stretching of the plexus. On the 

 other hand Cadeac showed that the plexus was enclosed in a sarcoma- 

 tous growth. Giinther states that he has seen several cases of paraly- 

 sis of the sacral plexus in the horse. 



Literature. Cadeac, J. A'et., 1907, 39G.— ThomaKsen, Monli., 1901, XII, 145. 



Paralysis of the Gluteal Nerve. Subsequent to a difficult parturi- 

 tion, Cuny (J. Yet., 1907, 652) observed rapidly progressing atrophy 

 in the area supplied by the superior gluteal nerve in a mare. The 

 author believed that it M^as due to crushing of the nerve during the 

 parturition. There was no evidence of motor disturbance. 



Paralysis After Parturition. This condition is most often ob- 

 served in cows from five to eight years old. According to Hess, it oc- 

 curs more fre(iuently in spring and summer and is intimately con- 

 nected vrith the parturition. According to this author, it occurs usually 

 after easy and rapid parturitions, while other authors associate it with 

 difficult parturition, supposing that the paralysis is due to compres- 

 sion of the sacral plexus, the sciatic, and obturator nerves, caused l)y 

 luxation of the sacro-iliac articulation. On the other hand, Franck 

 and more recently Hess, state that the paraparesis is produced re- 

 flexly by an injury of the genital passage. This view is supported by 

 the fact that a similar condition can be produced in the rabbit by 

 compression of the uterus. Possibly the paralysis may be caused by 

 luxation or contusion of the hip-joint and also by exhaustion (Hutyra 

 & Marek). The cases occurring after easy parturition, and uncompli- 

 cated cases, are scarcely distinguishable from parturient paralysis ; or 

 they may be the same thing (Hess, Albrecht, Zehl). 



The first symptoms make their appearance either directly after par- 

 turition or towards the end of the first day. In exceptional cases their 

 appearance may be delayed beyond this. There is weakness of the hind 

 quarters, and the animals lie down. Once down, they are unable to 

 rise again. Otherwise the animals appear normal. 



Treatment. If the animal does not get up of its own accord by the 

 fourth or fifth day, it may be made to rise by rubbing its tail between 

 two round pieces of wood, pouring water in its ear, hoisting it up with 



