68o PA THOLOG Y OF PARTURITION. 



nearly the whole of the body, or both or only one of the hind-limbs. The 

 Cow is also the animal which oftenest exhibits post-partum paralysis. 

 The affection may be due to parturient apoplexy or collapse — as already 

 noticed ; it may also be a result of metritis ; or it may follow difficult 

 parturition, and especially after the birth of a large calf, or if the latter 

 has been in a wrong position. Franckhas often witnessed its occurrence 

 after delivery, when the uterus has been half-twisted. Williams gives an 

 instance in which paralysis appeared to be due to mental disturbance ! 



Symptoms. 



The symptoms are similar to those of ante-pa?'tum paralysis. 



The animal continues to lie, and one or both hind-limbs may be moved 

 in a convulsive irregular manner, or they are completely incapable of 

 movement. In the majority of cases, however, the animal is able to turn 

 itself over at intervals from side to side — particularly during the night. 

 Sometimes only one leg is paralyzed. Apparent paralysis is at times 

 observed in Cows, which persist in lying after parturition, and though 

 they can move their limbs readily, yet they will not attempt to get up ; 

 their appetite is unimpaired, they exhibit no symptoms of disease, but 

 yield plenty of milk, and the excretions are normal. • 



This condition may continue for weeks or months, and often animals 

 have to be killed in consequence of it. 



Nature. 



Little is known as to the nature of this affection. Harms and othen 

 thought it was due to injury inflicted on the sacral and other nerves dur 

 ing difficult parturition. The sciatic nerves are particularly liable t( 

 injury. Post-mortem examination, however, has on-ly furnished negativ; 

 evidence of this. Franck thinks that injury to the cervix uteri may giv 

 rise to reflex paralysis ; this has been witnessed in a Bitch ; and refie; 

 paralysis of the legs has been seen in woman, and asq^ibed to uterine 

 injury or derangement — when this was repaired the paralysis disappeared. 

 It is not at all improbable that the same causes will produce the same 

 effects in animals. 



We can easily understand how paralysis is induced in parturient apoplexy. 

 Williams states that it is due to inflammation and red softening of the 

 spinal cord in the lumbar region. 



Treatment. 



When paralysis is actually present, the animal must be kept clean and 

 healthy. Blisters, or even the actual cautery, should be applied to the 

 loins, and the subcutaneous injection of strychnia resorted to. The con- 

 dition of the bowels and bladder must be attended to ; the former being 

 regulated by feeding, and if necessary by laxatives, the latter by diuretics. 

 Electricity may be useful in some cases, and particularly when only one 

 limb is involved. 



In all cases, the state of the uterus should be ascertained, and if it is 

 unsatisfactory, then remedial measures should be adopted with regard 

 to it. 



When the animal cannot turn itself, this must be done by its attend- 

 ants ; and if it is a valuable one, and the paralysis is likely to continue 

 for some time, slinging for a short period everyday may be tried. With 



