PARAL vsis. 609 



Here it may be one limb or all the limbs that are affected ; this is an example of reflex 

 paralysis. Probably there may be along with this irritation of the digestive organs and 

 vomiting. 



Paralysis is sometimes present in, or conies on in, the latter stages of distemper, and must 

 be looked upon as a very bad and ominous sign, indicating, as it does, effusion about the spinal 

 cord, or congestion of the same. 



Paralysis of the tongue is likewise not uncommon, the tongue lolling out to one side, and 

 giving a very unsightly appearance indeed. 



Treatment. In the paralysis of distemper, begin the treatment by giving a mild purgative. 

 Castor-oil and buckthorn will in this case do as well as any other, three parts oil, two parts 

 buckthorn syrup, and one part poppy syrup. See that the medicine has acted, if not it must 

 be repeated, but do not forget that the dog is weak. Keep his strength well up, and begin the 

 administration of iodide of potassium and belladonna, as in this prescription 



$ Potass, iod. ... ... gr. j. ad gr. v. 



Extr. belladonn. ... gr. ^ ad gr. ij. 



Kxtr. gentian.... gr. iij. ad gr. x. 



F- bolus. M. 



Ter. die. 



Continue this treatment for a week ; if little improvement, the dose is to be slightly increased, 

 and cod-liver oil given. 



Sometimes nux vomica may be used, but it is of doubtful efficacy in this form of 

 paralysis. 



Local applications are of no use, for the simple reason that the muscles are not the seat 

 of disorder. It is their misfortune, not their fault. However, gentle friction or shampooing with 

 the warm hand will go far to maintain the nutrition of the limbs, and prevent ataxy or wasting. 



We must not forget to mention that a sort of convulsive palsy is sometimes brought on by 

 the incautious use of mercury. Here the treatment is the warm bath, good diet, and small 

 doses of iodide of potassium. 



Only in old-standing cases do we use nux vomica, and we do not care to continue its use 

 longer than three weeks without intermission. Give from to 2 grains of the extract in a pill, 

 continuing its use with good food and other tonics. We have seen paralysis produced by even 

 a small dose of nux vomica given in a case of constipation. The animal had a strange suscep- 

 tibility to this drug on a previous occasion while under the treatment of a London vet, being 

 attacked in the same way from the same cause. The paralysis in both instances was cured 

 by an emetic. 



Remember that in all cases of paralysis the urine must be attended to, and if the bladder 

 is paralysed the elastic catheter must be used. 



Rest, good food, beef-tea, eggs, and sherry in bad cases, and an occasional aperient if needed ; 

 and let the dog's bed be comfortable and dry ; that is, kept dry, as he may wet it. 



For reflex paralysis. If from constipation, a few doses of the castor-oil and buckthorn 

 mixture, as prescribed by Youatt, will generally remove it. If it is not retained, give about half 

 an hour before the next dose from I to 3 drops of dilute hydrocyanic acid, rubbed up with 5 to 

 1 5 grains of the trisnitrate of bismuth. See that the teeth are not loose or decayed, if they are 

 they must be extracted. 



If paralysis continues after the bowels have been well opened, give the iodide of potassium ; 

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