SHOULDER LAMENESS. 783 



Lightning stroke produced paralysis of the brachial plexus in a 

 Prussian army horse, but the condition disappeared again in a few 

 days. 



Another case occurred in the Alfort clinique. A horse was cast 

 and kept down for a long time. On rising it showed complete 

 paralysis of one fore limb. Post-mortem examination showed that 

 the brachial plexus had been bruised and paralysed by a bony 

 tumour on the second rib. 



Many cases of brachial paralysis are produced in this way, 

 resulting from bruising, subscapular bleeding, deep-seated abscess 

 formation, the growth of tumours on the inner surface of the shoulder, 

 or even from direct injury like that due to the deep penetration of 

 a carriage shaft. 



The symptoms which accompany paralysis of the brachial 

 plexus depend on whether paralysis is complete. Complete paralysis 

 of the entire axillary plexus prevents all voluntary movement in 

 the limb. Provided, however, the foot be placed in the proper 

 position the limb, at least in the horse and dog, is still able to support 

 weight, but again collapses when the weight is removed. The body 

 load is better sustained so long as the radial nerve remains 

 unaffected, but there is difficulty in advancing the foot, When 

 contraction occurs in the triceps muscles, the leg, from the elbow 

 downwards, is continuously fixed in extreme extension. This 

 position is retained even during movement. 



Prognosis and course. The prognosis must be based on general 

 principles, as our knowledge of this lameness is still very 

 incomplete. As would be expected from its cerebral origin, spastic 

 paralysis of the brachial plexus in dogs is generally incurable. 



Treatment is similar to that of radial lameness. Massage, which 

 improves nutrition and prevents atrophy of muscle, is of more use 

 than drugs. 



IX.— SHOULDER LAMENESS. 



Besides those above described, other lesions occur in the shoulder 

 region, some of which evade even the most careful examination, 

 and cannot be exactly diagnosed, or their results foretold. Lameness 

 is the sole symptom, and for want of clearer knowledge these 

 conditions have been included under the general term " shoulder 

 lameness." As the chief muscles for the movement of the limb 

 are found in the shoulder region, it is not surprising that these 

 lamenesses show a certain agreement in symptoms. They are almost 

 always marked by lameness when the limb is carried, i.e., movement 



