DISEASES OF THE BRAIN AUD NERVOUS SYSTTM. 115 



to be smeared with the extract of belladonna; and when the belladonna 

 is administered internally, it should be either dissolved in the animal's 

 mash or drink or else placed between his teeth, allowance being made 

 for the probable waste. 



Perfect rest and quiet are the great desiderata in treatment. The 

 patient should be placed in a loose box and the light darkened, and no 

 one except his regular attendant should be allowed to enter. Even he 

 sliould go in as seldom as possible. Any excitement invariably increases 

 the spasms. The skin of a newly flayed sheep may be placed over the 

 loins, and the patient must be kept warm by extra clothing and bandages. 

 In some instances, however, the skin of the sheep will cause irritation, 

 and even the weight of the clothing may have this effect. If this should 

 be found to be the case, the animal had better be left without clothing; 

 or a very light sheet may be worn. Again, in many cases the straw will 

 cause irritation, and, if so, tan or sawdust may be substituted for it. 

 Keep a pail of water in which a couple of handfuls of oatmeal has been 

 stirred up, constantly in the loose box, so that the horse can have it when- 

 ever he feels the least desire to drink. It is well also to put a bran mash, 

 with 



Extract of belladonna 3 ij- 



in it, in the manger twice daily. If it is not eaten, clean it out and put 

 in a fresh one at the proper time. If the horse will sip it at all, it is even 

 better to mix it with milk instead of water. 



Some recommend putting the horse in slings as soon as the disease is 

 pronounced, and in cases which progress rapidly it is well to do so, since, 

 if the animal falls, he will excite and strain himself terribly in his efforts 

 to rise. 



The prospect of recovery is not usually good. A young well-nourished 

 animal is far more likely to get well than an old exhausted horse. 



PARALYSIS. 



Synonyms.— Palsy; Paraplegia. 



Definition. — More or less complete loss of voluntary motion, accom- 

 panied in some cases by insensibility in the parts affected. 



