80 LAMENESS OF THE HORSE 



weight results in further flexion of the affected member and the 

 animal will fall if the body is not suddenly caught up with the 

 sound leg. 



Differential Diagnosis. — In making examination of these 

 cases, one can exclude fracture by absence of crepitation and 

 usually, also, swelling is absent in radial paralysis. In a typical 

 case of radial paralysis, the affected leg can sustain its normal 

 share of weight if placed in position, that is, if the carpal joint 

 is extended in such manner that the leg is positioned as in its 

 normal weight-bearing attitude. In brachial paralysis, whether 

 due to fracture of the first rib or to other serious injury, it is 

 impossible for the subject to support weight with the affected 

 member even when it is passively placed in position. 



No difficulty is ordinarily experienced in differentiating radial 

 paralysis from muscular injuries to the triceps; yet, in some 

 cases of ' ' dropped elbow, " it is necessary to observe the progress 

 of the case for ten days or two weeks before one can positively 

 establish a diagnosis. 



Quoting Merillat^: "When, after four weeks, there is no 

 amelioration of the paralysis, the muscles have atrophied, and 

 the patient has become emaciated from pain and discomfort, the 

 diagnosis of brachial paralysis with fracture of the first rib may 

 tlicn be announced." 



Prognosis. — AVhen no complete paralysis of the l)rachial 

 plexus or no fracture of the first rib exists, the majority of cases 

 recover completely in from ten days to six weeks. Some writers 

 claim that recoveries occur in ninety per cent of cases when 

 conditions are favorable. 



Treatment. — A\nien incomplete radial paralysis exists, little 

 needs be done except to allow the subject moderate exercise and 

 to provide for its comfort. Local applications, stimulative in 

 character, are beneficial, and the internal administration of 

 strychnin is indicated. 



In the cases where weight is not supported without the affected 

 leg being passively placed in position, it is necessary to provide 

 for the subject's comfort in several ways. 



Mechanical appliances such as braces of some kind in order 



^Veterinary Surgical Operations, by L. A. Merillat, V. S., p. 507. 



