254 DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM 



keeps it bent with the foot turned back and steps on the front of the foot 

 in walking as it is dragged along, the muscles of the leg become atrophied, 

 and the animal stumbles and staggers when walking. Partial paralysis 

 may result from tumors or fractures of the scapula or to injuries to the 

 region of the shoulder, particularly when an animal going at great speed 

 strikes the shoulder against some hard object. Recoveries from this 

 condition are quite common. 



Paralysis of the Ischiadicus. — This is rare and occurs as a result of 

 blows, falls, as a result of distemper, and from unknow^n causes; there may 

 also be observed a cross paralysis of the hind quarters and also one ante- 

 rior limb. The hind leg is dragged and the skin worn off the dorsal face of 

 the toes, but the animal can sit on the affected leg if it is brought into 

 position. One observer has seen paresis of the peroneus in a hunting dog; 

 in walking about every ten or twelve steps the animal made an extra long 

 step and when the animal sat down the hind leg was turned backward and 

 upwards. One case was caused by the animal being injured while creeping 

 under a Ijed. 



Paralysis of the Cruralis Nerve. Paralysis of the Femoralis and Quad- 

 riceps. — In this case the animal cannot step with the hind leg as the 

 articulations flex abnormally; this condition is quickly followed by 

 atrophy of the quadriceps. One observer could define no cause for the 

 condition, and the animal made a good recovery in five weeks. 



Paralysis of the Obturator Nerve. — One case of this kind was described 

 by .Schimmel in which a ladder fell on the animal. When the animal 

 walked, the one leg was curved and at each step it was thrown outw^ard 

 and forward and there was great atrophy of the adductor muscles. Reg- 

 ular exercise led to a gradual improvement of the condition. 



Prognosis and Treatment of Paralysis of the Nerves. — The prognosis 

 can never be regarded as favorable; it is true certain cases already men- 

 tioned have recovered, but the majority of cases are always to be regarded 

 as doubtful, particularly when their peripheric nerves have undergone 

 some pathological change. 



The first thing to endeavor to do is to try and remove the cause of 

 the irritation of the nerve; if this is due to the presence of a tumor, ex- 

 travasation of blood or serum, cicatricial tissvie or dislocation of an 

 articulation we endeavor to remove the exciting cause or lessen the in- 

 flammatory or purulent conditions in the neighborhood of the nerve. 

 If a rheumatoid cause is suspected, administer salicylic acid, salol, aspirin, 

 or antipyrin. Massage may also be used combined with a certain amount 

 of well regulated exercise. The electric current may be eniployed, the 

 negative electrode being applied as near the root of the nerves as pos- 

 sible, and the positive pole is moved along the branches of the nerve and 

 the affected muscles. 



