152 CHOREA, SPASM, CONVULSIOIS, AND PARALYSIS, 

 degree of warmth, in whatever way applied, has proved useful, 

 with volatile embrocations applied to the pained parts. Internally 

 the following may be given : — 



iEther 20 to 60 drops 



Tincture of opium (laudanum) 20 to 60 drops 



Camphor 3 to 6 grains 



Mix these together, and give in a table- spoonful of ale or of wine 

 and water, according to the urgency of the symptoms. No fear 

 need be apprehended from an over-dose of opium ; for in these 

 cases analogy between the human and brute should not be allowed 

 to guide the exhibition ; a dog will bear five times the quantity of 

 opium that a human person could. When spasm affects the bowels, 

 sometimes much benefit arises from clysters with a drachm of 

 laudanum in each. See Colic, Spasmodic, — Warm bathing, as 

 before noticed, should never be omitted as a remedy in general 

 spasm ; but, in some cases of long-continued spasmodic affection, 

 more purely paralytic, as in the twitchings arising from distemper, 

 tonic remedies, with cold bathing, are more proper. Extensive 

 bleeding has very often relieved some occasional spasms ; and other 

 cases of longer standing have been benefitted by the treatment 

 detailed under the head Epileipsy, 



Paralysis is probably the consequence of a diminution of sen- 

 sorial excitement, by which a total or partial loss of motive power 

 is experienced in certain parts of the body : in extreme cases it 

 may be general ; it is usually, however, local. Rabies is a very 

 common cause of paralysis of the jaws and muscles of the throat, 

 loins, and hinder extremities: sometimes an universal paralytic 

 weakness is also diffused over the frame in rabid dogs. Distem- 

 per is very commonly attended with some paralysis of the hinder 

 parts and sometimes of the head and fore legs ; now and then it is 

 mildly but universally diff'used. A frequent source of paralysis is 

 rheumatism, which see (p 142). 



The treatment must vary according to the cause producing the 

 affection. General warmth, with stimulating applications to the 



