PARALYSIS. o47 



flexors iDeing always more rigid than the extensors), a condition 

 which is due to chronic shortening of the muscles themselves, 

 and generally associated witli muscular atrophy. (4.) Nutrition 

 not impaired, constant firmness and rigidity, incomplete paralysis, 

 increased susceptibility to galvanic stimulus. 



In the treatment of reflex paraplegia the removal of the 

 eccentric cause must always be the primary object of the 

 practitioner. In the horse, if there be colicky pains and consti- 

 pation, opium and purgatives, succeeded by belladonna, and an 

 alkaline carbonate; the soda bicarbonate in all cases arising 

 from indigestion. If congestion of the cord is suspected, bella- 

 donna or the ergot of rye are indicated. Generally, however, it 

 is found that in the lower animals reflex paralysis is ephemeral, 

 and passes away when its cause is removed. 



In the cow the stomach and bowels are to be unloaded l)y strong 

 cathartics. Sulphate of magnesia, with croton, if there be no 

 actual inflammation of the stomachs ; oleaginous purgatives, with 

 opium, belladonna, or hyoscyamus, if inflammation is suspected. 



In the dog reflex paralysis is often accompanied by great irri- 

 tation of the stomach, vomition, and intestinal pains. Castor 

 oil and hydrocyanic acid are the most useful agents in afford- 

 ing relief. If the stomach be too irritable to retain the oil, the 

 hydrocyanic acid is to be given alone, or in combination with 

 carbonate of soda, until undue irritability is allayed, then the 

 aperient is to be administered. Iodide of potassium and the 

 soda carbonate agree better, and are more useful in the dog than 

 all other remedies after the aperient has operated. If the dis- 

 ease be due to decayed teeth or the irritation of teething, relief 

 must be afforded by extraction of the teeth or lancing of the 

 gums. In all animals cathartics, enemas, fomentations to the 

 loins, hot baths for the dog, and emptying of the bladder, where 

 possible, are not to be lost sight of. If paralysis continue for a 

 time, nux vomica and ferruginous tonics may be prescribed 

 advantageously, and the loins may be blistered, and galvanism 

 applied. 



nOIIPLEGIA. 



Hemiplegia is that form of paralysis in which one lateral 

 half of the body is affected. It is a very rare form of disease 

 in the lower animals, I have, however, seen it in the horse, 



