ILAMENESS IN THE HIND LEG 207 



nerve is directly injured, or when melanotic tumors or other 

 new growths compress the nerve in such manner that its function 

 is suspended. Paralysis of the obturator nerve or nerves is met 

 with rather frequently, notwithstanding', in mares, following 

 dystocia. The nerves (one or both) may become bruised at the 

 lu'im of the oliturator foramen by being caught between the pel- 

 vis and the body of the fetus in some cases of protracted labor. 



Symptomatology. — Tn a unilateral affection there may be 

 little evidence of the trouble while the subject is standing; or 

 there is to be seen some abduction; or the affected member may 

 present abduction of the stifle and stand "toe outward." If 

 the animal is walked there will be manifested more or less abduc- 

 tion and the character of the impediment varies according to 

 the nature of the involvement. 



Following protracted cases of labor in some instances where 

 only a unilateral paralysis exists, walking is performed with 

 difficulty; the subject may be unal^le to support weight witli the 

 affected member and is obliged to hop on the one sound hind leg. 

 In bilateral affections, they are iinable to rise. If the condition 

 is severe the sling is required to keep the subject standing, and 

 with this care, recovery Avill follow. 



Treatment. — If new growths or callosities or similar condi- 

 tions affect the nerve, little, if any, hope for recovery exists. In 

 young and vigorous subjects where cause is not definitely known, 

 a course of strychnin may be given. Good nursing, providing 

 for the subject's comfort and allowing moderate exercise, consti- 

 tute rational treatment. Stimulating embrocations on the ab- 

 ductor muscles resorted to in cases during the incipient stage 

 may prove helpful. 



"When paralysis of the obturator nerve occurs as a post-partum 

 complication, and other conditions are favorable, the subject 

 should be raised to its feet without unnecessary delay. If the 

 mare is unable to assist in regaining her feet, a sling is recpiired. 

 Usually little else is necessary and after a few days in the sling 

 the subject can get about unassisted. In the meanwhile the 

 well-being of the affected animal is to be considered just as in 

 any other case where the patient is so confined. The foal in 



