PARALYSIS OF THE HIND LIMB. 



937 



improved after three months' treatment. The absence of anaesthesia 

 and of muscular atrophy pointed to its cerebral nature. 



Symptoms. Paralysis of the great sciatic is accompanied by 

 general lameness or complete inertia of the limb, the muscles involved 

 including the biceps femoris, semi-membranosus and semi-tendinosus, 

 and in consequence the limb is no longer capable of free movement. 

 The limb hangs limply from the hip downwards, the tendo Achillis 

 is relaxed, and neither hip, stifle, nor hock can be voluntarily flexed. 

 On enforced movement the lower part of the limb is jerked upwards 



Fig. 521. — Paralysis of the anterior crural nerve. 



and forwards by the sudden contraction of the extensors of the stifle, 

 the foot with the phalanges bent is dragged on the ground, and in 

 dogs, the dorsal surface of the toes is soon rubbed raw. Backing 

 is very difficult, the fetlock coming in contact with the ground. When, 

 however, by external help the limb is placed in its normal position, 

 it is able to sustain weight in the usual way, because the extensors of 

 the stifle fix that joint, and with it the other joints of the limb. 

 Anaesthesia of the skin of the lower parts of the limb accompanies 

 this condition. 



Moller saw three cases of sciatic paralysis in dogs, one in a St. 

 Bernard, one in a bull-dog, and one in a working-dog. (In Berlin, and 



