PARALYSIS, OR TALSV. 187 



axiom to guide the judgment of the practitioner, that j alsy in the liorse 

 almost invariably proceeds from disease or injury of the spine. 



We most frequently meet with complete paraplegia in the horse, as the 

 result of some injury to the spine. It sometimes ensues when the animal 

 has been cast for the performance of some operation : he struggles vio- 

 lently at first, but after a time ceases. The operation being concluded the 

 hobbles are removed, and attempts are made to cause the animal to arise ; 

 but these are fruitless, and to the great annoyance of the operator, his 

 hind extremities are found to be totally paralysed. It is also met with in 

 the hunting-field, as a consequence of the animal dropping the hind ex- 

 tremities into a fence, or when galloping across a field, suddenly placing 

 the hind legs into a drain or hidden trench ; when this happens the animal 

 generally drags his hind extremities a short distance and falls ; lie Avill 

 then make frequent efforts to get up again, but will only succeed in raising 

 his fore extremities ; the hind ones are paralysed : in short, his ' back is 

 broken.' It may also be produced by getting cast in the stable, and 

 slipping up, &c. In most of these cases the posterior dorsal or lumbar 

 vertebras will be found to be either displaced or fractured, and the symptoms 

 will appear immediately after the injiu-y. Other causes of paralysis are — 

 exposure to cold and moisture, and disease affecting the spinal cord itself, 

 or its membranes. When this is the case, we sometimes get premonitory 

 symptoms. The first symptoms generally noticed will be a peculiar 

 reeling unsteadiness in the animal's walk, which wiU be increased when 

 he is made to trot, the hind legs being to a certain extent dragged after 

 him. This may continue for an uncertain length of time, but in most 

 cases, the animal will get gradually worse in a few days, until he falls 

 and is unable to rise again. Paralysis may also be confined to certain parts 

 only, such as the face, eai", and Hps ; another frequent instance of this 

 will be found in paralysis of the muscles on one side of the larynx, pro- 

 ducing roaring. 



The treatment of paralysis will not generally prove very successful. 

 If it results from a violent injury, and we have reason to believe from the 

 circumstances connected with it, and the total loss of both motive and 

 sentient power in the hind extremities, that some fractui-e or dislocation 

 of the vertebra has taken place, the animal should be at once destroyed. 

 If we have premonitory symptoms sufficient to indicate the approach of an 

 attack of paralysis, a strong dose of purgative medicine should be at once 

 administered, and this should be assisted by frequent injections of warm 

 water. The loins should he covered with a mustard poultice, frequently 

 renewed. The patient should be placed in a well- ventilated stable, kept 

 warmly clothed, and his food consist for the first few days of nothing but 

 bran- mash. If the horse be down, the better plan to adopt will be to 

 make him as comfortable as possible, taking care to turn him on the other 

 side occasionally, so that the muscles may not become cramped. This 

 will be better than placing him in sHngs. If favourable symptoms appear, 

 and the anunal beguis to regain the use of his limbs, he must not be in the 

 shghtest degree neglected, nor medical treatment suspended. There are 

 few diseases in which the animal is more liable to a relapse, or where a 

 relapse would be so fatal. The bowels should be kept relaxed, counter- 

 u'ritation continued over the loins, and great attention paid to the animars 

 diet. Strychnine, and many other medicines, have been strongly recom- 

 mended in attacks of paralysis, but they are doubtful and powerfully 

 dangerous remedies. If the disease assumes a somewhat chronic form, 

 an extensive and stimulating charge over the loins should be applied. It 

 will accomplish three purposes — there tv411 be the principle of counter- 

 irritation, a defence against the cold, and a useful support of the Hnibs. 



