1 88 PA THOLOG Y OF PIlEGNANCY. 



authority, however, states that he has occasionally witnessed the para- 

 lysis persist for a longer time after calving, and either cause death or 

 necessitate slaughter. I have seen a Sheep which eventually died from 

 this ante-partum paralysis. When the paresis appears towards the 

 seventh or eighth month the prospect of recovery is not so favourable ; 

 though the prognosis must to a large extent depend upon the cause. 

 If the animal is old or debilitated there is less hope for recovery. "When 

 it can move the hind limbs after a day or two, and change its position 

 from one side to another, a favourable issue may be predicted. 



The cause is somewhat obscure, but is supposed to be due to com- 

 pression, or rather straining, of the nerves and vessels of the posterior 

 extremities by the heavy uterus. In five or six cases there has been 

 found, on ])ostmortem inspection, infiltration of the dorso-lumbar and 

 gluteal muscles, and discoloration of the muscular fibres. The spinal 

 canal has also contained a large quantity of serum, and the membranes 

 of the spinal cord are injected. From the rapidity with which recovery 

 generally takes place, it is obvious that the lesions cannot be serious in 

 many cases. Debility from insufficient or poor quality of food may 

 induce this condition ; getting jammed and unable to get up in the stall 

 may also bring it about, as well as slipping or falling down and injuring 

 bones or muscles. 



Treatment. — The first thing to be done is to ascertain, if possible, 

 upon what the paresis depends, as upon this treatment must be based. 

 It is advisable in most cases to get the animal up, either with or without 

 help ; but if it cannot stand, and slinging is not advisable, then it must 

 be made comfortable in the recumbent position, and turned over 

 frequently ; peat-moss makes the best litter. In the majority of cases, 

 and especially before parturition, little treatment is necessary. The 

 principal indication is to avert or get rid of constipation by means 

 of laxatives and enemas, and to pay attention to the diet and cleanli- 

 ness, while enjoining quietude. If the paralysis is due to debility, then 

 highly nutritious food and tonics should be given. If congestion of the 

 spinal cord is suspected, then stimulating applications to the spine 

 should be resorted to. Should the paralysis persist and the time for 

 parturition be some months distant, it may be necessary to induce 

 abortion, as protracted recumbency generally produces superficial sores 

 of large extent. Should the paralysis continue for any length of time 

 after parturition, then more energetic treatment may be adopted. In 

 these cases, the subcutaneous injection of strychnine is nearly always, 

 attended with success. 



Crmnp. 



Cramp — by which is meant a tonic, involuntary, and extremely 

 painful contraction of one or more voluntary muscles — is sometimes 

 observed in the Mare and Cow during the second half of gestation, the 

 muscles of the thigh, and chiefly the principal extensor of the meta- 

 tarsus, being almost exclusively involved. When affected, the animal 

 either suddenly and rapidly flexes and extends the limb — striking the 

 ground hurriedly and energetically with the foot, as if a fly had settled 

 on the leg, or the whole limb is gradually and rigidly elevated without 

 flexure of the joints, except those of the phalanges, which are half 

 flexed, the anterior aspect of the hoof being directed towards the ground; 

 at the same time the muscles of the leg are hard, tense, and painful to 

 manipulate, and the animal betrays the torture it experiences by its 



