POST PARTUM PAUALYSIS. 659 



according' to circumstances ; and paralysis will be best combated by 

 stimulation to the loins, and the subcutaneous injection of strychnine, 

 with diuretics and purgatives. 



Easily digested food in small quantities should alone be allowed 

 immediately after recovery, and the animal must not be given any 

 indigestible food, nor be permitted to eat hay or litter. 



To prevent injuxy to the surface of the body, it is well to change the 

 position of the animal two or three times a day, if soft litter — such as 

 peat moss — cannot be procured. In turning from one side to another, 

 the movement should be on the under part of the trunk after the limbs 

 have been doubled under the body — not on the back ; and care should 

 be taken that tympanitis is not interfering with the respiration. 



In some cases there remains a certain degree of paresis or inertia, 

 after the more urgent symptoms have disappeared — indeed, when the 

 animal looks bright and well, so that it will not or cannot rise. This 

 condition has been combated successfully and promptly by the adminis- 

 tration of an enema containing a quantity (10 to 15 ounces) of oil of 

 turpentine. 



It is judicious not to breed from a Cow which has suffered from par- 

 turient collapse, unless every precaution is taken towards the next 

 calving period. 



CHAPTEK V. 



Post Partum Paralysis. 



In treating of the diseases peculiar to pregnancy, allusion was made to 

 paraplegia (p. 187) as one of these. Paralysis of the hind-quarters is 

 more frequent previous to birth than after that event, and is generally 

 observed in the Cow. After birth, paralysis is comparatively rare, and 

 may affect nearly the whole of the body, or both or only one of the 

 hind-limbs. Tlie Cow is also the animal which oftenest exhibits i)ost 

 partnvi paralysis. The affection may be due to parturient apoplexy or 

 collapse— as already noticed ; it may also be a result of metritis ; or it 

 may follow ditVicult parturition, and especially after the birth of a large 

 Calf, or if the latter has been in a wrong position. Franck has often 

 witnessed its occurrence after delivery, when the uterus has been half 

 twisted. Williams gives an instance in which paralysis appeared to be 

 due to mental disturbance ! 



Sjpnptonis. 



The symptoms are similar to those of ante partum paralysis. 

 The animal continues to lie, and one or both hind-limbs may be 

 moved in a convulsive, irregular manner, or they are completely in- 

 capable of movement. In the majority of cases, however, the animal is 

 able to turn itself over at intervals from side to side — particularly during 

 the night. Sometimes only one leg is paralysed. Apparent paralysis 

 is at times observed in Cows, which persist in lying after parturition, 

 and though they can move their limbs readily, yet they will not attempt 

 to get up ; their appetite is unimpaired, they exhibit no symptoms of 

 disease or suffering, but yield plenty of milk, and the excretions are 

 normal. 



This condition may continue for weeks or months, and often animals 

 have to be killed in consequence of it. 



