PARALYSIS OF RADIAL NEIIVN. 781 



invariably, sensation is lost in the skin covering the anterior and 

 external surface of the fore-arm. 



Differential diagnosis. The disease may be mistaken for 

 myopathic lameness of the caput group of muscles, or for any of 

 those conditions in which they partially or completely fail to act. 

 This is particularly true of oblique fracture of the ulna — 'the lower 

 point of insertion of these muscles—and of rupture of the extensor 

 pedis. Hertel saw all the extensors attached to the ulna torn away, 

 but in such cases local examination at once dispels any doubt. 



Diagnosis and course. The twenty cases of radial paralysis 

 seen by Moller all eventually recovered, though not with equal 

 rapidity ; incomplete paralysis usually disappears in fourteen days, 

 but the greater number of cases of complete paralysis last for five 

 to six weeks or longer. Certain severe cases, possibly due to fractured 

 first rib, require six to nine months for complete recovery. Three 

 eases relapsed after some weeks' severe work, but finally did well. 

 Prognosis is therefore, generally favourable. Uncertainty of move- 

 ment sometimes remains even after disappearance of lameness, 

 but disappears in time. The longer lameness continues, the less 

 the chance of cure. Well-marked muscular atrophy is therefore 

 unpropitious, but return of irritability to the Faradic current must 

 be regarded as a favourable sign. 



Treatment. In the greater number of Moller's cases no particular 

 treatment was required. Electricity is only worth trying in valuable 

 horses, but massage, especially in complete paralysis, is certainly 

 of the greatest value in assisting nutrition of the muscles. When 

 paralysis is incomplete, daily exercise on soft ground and at a slow 

 pace is for the same reason advisable. If thought desirable, sub- 

 cutaneous injections of veratrin and strychnine may be employed. 

 The application of powerful douches can only be regarded as a kind 

 of massage. Bormann effected recovery in five to six weeks by 

 giving strych. nitr. -3 to "6 grain subcutaneously ; but in this time 

 the disease would generally disappear without any treatment 

 whatever. 



A less frequent variety of intermittent radial paralysis has been 

 seen by Moller. A young carriage -horse, which showed nothing 

 unusual in the stable, or when beginning work, displayed symptoms 

 of radial paralysis in the right fore-leg as soon as it had gone about 

 two miles. The condition was first incomplete, as shown by stumbling, 

 but gradually became complete, with the above-described characteristic 

 symptoms. By resting the animal, the symptoms disappeared in 

 about half an hour, to reappear, however, as soon as work was 



