298 The Care of Animals 



control of certain muscles. This condition persists 

 for some time, or may be more or less permanent. 

 Apoplectic fits come on suddenly, and, after the ani- 

 mal gains consciousness, recovery is slow. Parturient 

 apoplexy in cows is a different disease. See page 212. 

 An animal that has had a stroke of apoplexy is of 

 little value and treatment is seldom worth while. 



PARALYSIS 



True paralysis is a lack of control of muscles, 

 caused, in most cases, by injuries to the nerves. In 

 all diseases where there is total or partial unconscious- 

 ness, there is a lack of control; but, in true paralysis, the 

 animal appears well, except that certain muscles are 

 weak and flabby, and the animal has little or no con- 

 trol over them. There is no pain, unless associated 

 with an injury or caused by the pressure of a tumor. 

 In old animals, there is often a paralysis of some of the 

 muscles of the face. As a result, the healthy muscles 

 pull the affected ones in the opposite direction, giving 

 the face a wry appearance. Paralysis resulting from an 

 injury usually disappears as the part returns to its 

 normal state. In certain cases, rubbing the affected 

 muscles with a stimulating liniment, and giving nux 

 vomica internally, may be beneficial. Electricity is use- 

 ful in some instances. Tincture of nux vomica may 

 be given in doses of one drop (for a small dog) to 

 thirty drops (for a horse), three times daily. Should 

 any twitching of the muscles occur, the dose should 

 be reduced or stopped altogether. 



