TETANUS. 329 



In the case of thoroughbred or very nervous excitable 

 horses, the advisability of slinging is questionable. Con- 

 sidering, however, that horses already recovering some- 

 times fall when the muscles begin to relax, and, struggling 

 violently, bring on the spasmodic contraction more severely, 

 some advise slinging loosely, at any rate, but not so as to 

 irritate or annoy the animal. 



Locally, liniment of belladonna and camphor may be 

 applied along the spine. Irritating liniments and mustard 

 are recommended by some, but probably they do as much 

 harm as good. Other authorities recommend the applica- 

 tion of ice-bags. 



ENZOOTIC PARAPLEGIA - GRASS- 

 STAGGERS. 



Definition. — 'Is a disease affecting horses feeding on rye- 

 grass at a particular period of its growth, and characterized 

 by disturbance of the innervation, especially by impair- 

 ment or loss of motor, and more rarely of sensory, power 

 of the posterior extremities' (Robertson). 



Nature and Etiology. — Enzootic paraplegia rarely or 

 never occurs when fed on any food save rye-grass at a 

 particular period of its growth ; and we believe with Mr. 

 Robertson that it is to be regarded as a different affection 

 from that termed ' stomach or sleepy staggers.' In the 

 disease under consideration, spinal symptoms are the 

 essential features, though cerebral symptoms may be also 

 developed, especially in severe cases. 



In stomach staggers, on the contrary, cerebral symptoms 

 are essential features. 



This reflex or sympathetic paraplegia does not seem to 

 have any relation to the quantity of the food taken, but 

 only to its quality; and it appears as an enzootic affection 

 where horses are grazed on land where rye-grass abounds. 



