116 VETERINAKY MEDICINE AND SURGERY. 



Etiology. — Commonly partial paralysis or palsy in the horse arises 

 from indigestion, constipation, injuries to the spinal cord from violence, 

 fractures, etc., and in mares from uterine irritation also. 



Symptoms. — When resulting from injuries, the paralysis usually in- 

 cludes those j)arts of thebody supplied with nerves from the neighborhood 

 of the injury, and comes on almost at once, the loss of power being quite 

 evident. When caused by colic, the approach of the attack is more grad- 

 ual, begining with the hind legs knuckling at the fetlock, and eventually 

 the loss of i^ower is so great that the animal falls upon his haunches. 

 After a time, the violence of the attack will pass away, leaving its effects 

 in weak limbs and tottering gait which may require a number of days 

 before it disappears. 



Treatment. — When the spinal cord is affected, no treatment will do 

 any good. If the paralysis is reflex, the cause should be removed. When 

 due to indigestion, give at once: 



Powdered aloes 3 vi. 



Calomel 3 i. 



Make into a ball with linseed meal or bran, and molasses. 



Apply cloths wrung out in hot water to the loins, and renew often enough 

 to keep warm. 



If the paralysis is persistent, give: 



Extr. nux vomica, 



Iodide of potassium aa 3 i. 



This may be given in the drinking water, or with the animal's food, 

 twice a day; discontinue as soon as involuntary twitchings show them- 

 selves in the muscles. 



The use of a mild blister along the spinal cord and over the loins is 

 recommended, for which purjDOse the best is: 



Biniodide of mercury 1 part 



Lard 16 parts 



As tonic, to be given during recovery, iron is especially useful: 



Sulphate of iron 3 i. 



Powdered gentian 3 iv. 



Mix with the food and give daily. 



