132 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



STRINGHALT. 



This, like the preceding disease, is spasmodic, but 

 does not appear to follow any direct or external injuries. 

 It as frequently occurs in both legs as in one, and may 

 be described as a spasm of the flexor muscles of the 

 hind leg. Some consider it to be caused by irritation 

 of the sciatic nerve ; and since it is never met with in 

 the fore legs, this conclusion may be a correct one. 



It is generally and most unwarrantably con- 

 sidered as unsoundness, but I am not aware that a 

 horse is incapacitated for any purpose thereby. This 

 disease, if it can be called one, is quite incurable, and 

 therefore I shall not waste time by putting forward 

 any fanciful mode of treatment, 



PARALYSIS. 



This disease usually attacks the hind limbs, and is 

 the consequence in most cases of violent injuries to the 

 vertebrae of the back and loins, caused by blows, 

 wrenches, and falls, giving rise to tumours, which 

 press on and irritate the spinal chord. In numerous 

 cases, however, it is occasioned by chronic affection of 

 the liver and kidneys ; and in others the causes cannot 

 be traced. 



The treatment should be similar to that recommended 

 in tetanus. 



MEGRIMS. 



This disease is easily defined and distinguished from 

 apoplexy, &c., since no convulsions attend it. It is 



