208 



of peripheral nerves, to spinal irritation or congestion caused b}^ blood 

 poisons, etc. 



Sijmptoins. — When due to mechanical injury of the spinal cord, 

 from a broken back or spinal hemorrhage, it is generally progressive 

 in its character, although it may be sudden. When it is caused by 

 agents in the blood it may be intermittent or recurrent. 



Paraplegia is not difficult to recognize, for it is characterized by a 

 weakness and imperfect control of the hind legs, and jjowerless tail. 

 The urine usually dribbles away as it is formed and the manure is 

 pushed out, ball l)y ball, witliout any voluntary effort, or the passages 

 may cease entirely. When paraplegia is complete, large and ill-con- 

 ditioned sores soon form on the hips and thighs from chafing and 

 bruising, Avhicli have a tendency to quickly weaken the animal and 

 necessitate his destruction. 



LOCOMOTOR ATAXIA — INCOORDINATION OF MOVEMENT. 



This is characterized by an inability to properly control the move- 

 ment of the limbs. The animal a^ipears usually perfectly health^'', 

 l)ut when he is led out of his stall his legs have a wabbly movement, 

 and he will stumble or stagger, especially in turning. When this is 

 confined to the hind parts it maj^ be termed a modified form of i)ara- 

 plegia, but often it may be seen to affect nearly all the voluntary 

 muscles Avhen they are called into play, and must be attributed to 

 some pressure exerted on the base of the brain. 



LOCAL PARALYSIS. 



This is frequently met with in horses. It may affect many parts of 

 the body, even vital organs, and it is very frequently overlooked in 

 diagnosis. 



FACIA.L PARALYSIS. 



^'his is a frequent type of local paralj-sis, and is due to impairment 

 of function of the motor nerve of the facial muscles, the x>ortio dura. 

 The cause may exist at the base of the brain, compression along its 

 course after it leaves the medulla oblongata, or to a bruise after it 

 spreads out on the great masseter muscle. 



Symptoms. — A flaccid condition of the cheek muscles, pendulous 

 lips, inability to gi'asp the food, often a sIoav and weak movement in 

 chewing, and difficulty and slowness in drinking. 



LARYNGISMUS PARALYTICUS — ROARING. 



This condition is characterized by roaring, and is usually caused 

 bj an inflamed or hypertrophied bronchial gland i)ressing against the 

 left recurrent laryngeal nerve, which interferes Avith its conducting 

 power. A similar condition is occasionally induced in acute pleurisy, 

 where the recurrent nerve becomes involved in the diseased process 

 or compressed by plastic exudation. 



