546 NERVOUS DISEASES. 



gradually become worse, and die after some months. In both forms 

 of paralysis of the loins, the chances are greatly against the patient. 



TllEATMENT OF IvUMREE.— Blister or fire over the loins, and 

 give nux vomica, as recommended on page 548. The compounds 

 of iron, as observed by Meyrick, being poisonous to many of the 

 lower forms of life; 2 drachms of suljDhate of iron may be given 

 in the food daily, as well as iodide of potassium, from time to time. 



Paralysis of the Loins from Spinal Congestion. 



The following remarks on this form of paralysis, should be read 

 in connection with the preceding section : — 



There is but little doubt that the paralysis of the loins which 

 is sudden in its attack, and which is met with in various parts of 

 India and other hot countries (p. 543), and also, though less 

 frequently, in temperate ones, is often due to congestion of the 

 spinal cord. In the East, it is common in places which have a 

 damp, warm climate, and which are subject, at times, to cold, dry 

 winds, especially east winds, if in the interior; or "land winds," 

 if on the sea-coast. 



This paralysis is sometimes met with in Cambridgeshire — where 

 I have seen cases of it — and other fen counties. Chill seems to be 

 the usual cause of this complaint, to alleviate which, treatment 

 appears to be of little avail. 



BREEDS OF HORSES MOST SUBJECT TO THIS PARALYSIS 

 IN INDIA. — In India, Arab and Australian horses are jDeculiarly 

 liable to spinal congestion. As they are the only horses which are 

 imported in large numbers into India, we may reasonably conclude 

 that any other foreign animals would be equally susceptible. Indi- 

 genous ponies, and, to a less extent, indigenous horses, enjoy a coni- 

 l^arative immunity. My experience is that Arab stallions are much 

 more liable to get this disease than any other kinds of horses. With 

 very few exceptions, the Arabs which are imported into India and 

 other countries, are entire ; and geldings predominate to an equal 

 extent among the Colonial importations. The proneness of Arab 

 entire horses to this complaint is usually attributed to the fact 

 that a large number of them contract the habit of masturbation, 

 and thereby weaken themselves. I have observed that Arab race- 

 horses which are properly looked after, rarely get paralysed in 

 the loins. 



SYMPTOMS OF SPINAL CONGESTION.— The symptoms be- 

 come developed without warning. Often the horse is found, on the 



