DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. 109 



As soon as the animal is able to rise it should be assisted and 

 moved to the nearest shelter. All the cold water it will drink should 

 be allowed. The ammonia or spirits of nitrous ether drench should 

 be administered every three hours so long as there is much failure 

 of strength. The diet should be limited for several daj^s — bran slops 

 and a little grass. When signs of returning strength are presented, 

 12 ounces of Epsom salt dissolved in a quart of warm water may be 

 given in those cases which have been down and unconscious, but 

 do not give it while- much weakness remains, which may be for 

 several days after the attack. The flesh of an animal that is suffer- 

 ing from heat stroke should not be prepared for use as food. On 

 account of the fever with which the animal suffers, the flesh contains 

 toxins that may render it poisonous to the consumer. 



INJURIES TO THE SPINAL CORD. 



The spinal cord is liable to concussion from blows and falls, and 

 paralysis, to a greater or less extent, may be the result. Fracture, 

 with displacement of the bones (vertebrae) which form the spinal 

 column, by compressing the spinal cord, produces paralysis, which 

 varies in its effect according to the part of the cord that is com- 

 pressed. If the fracture is above the middle of the neck, death soon 

 follows, as communication between the brain and diaphragm (the 

 essential muscle of inspiration) is stopped. When the fracture is 

 farther down in the neck, posterior to the origin of the phrenic nerve, 

 the breathing continues, but there is paralysis in all parts posterior 

 to the fracture, including the fore and hind legs. When the fracture 

 is in the region of the loins the hind legs are paralyzed, but the fore 

 legs are not. If the fracture is in the sacrum (the division of the 

 spinal column between the loins and the tail), the tail alone is 

 paralyzed. 



As a matter of course, when the back is broken there is no remedy ; 

 the animal should be killed at once. 



PARALYSIS. 



Paralysis, or loss of motion in a part, may be due to a lesion of 

 the brain, of the spinal cord, or of a nerve. It may also be caused 

 by reflex irritation. When the paralysis affects both sides of the 

 body, posterior to a point, it is further designated by the name 

 paraplegia. When one side of the body (a lateral half) is para- 

 lyzed, the term hemiplegia is applied to the affection. When paral- 

 ysis is caused by a lesion of a nerve, the paralysis is confined to the 

 particular part supplied by the affected nerve. 



As already pointed out, paralysis may be due to concussion of the 

 spine, fracture of a bone of the spinal column with consequent com- 



