PARALYSIS. 247 
them is ultimately permanently destroyed; or the affected nerves may become 
incapable of conducting impressions, and thus recovery be no longer possible. 
Lameness in one or both the hind legs without known injury, or partial or 
complete paralysis of them would justify the suspicion of worms, and the appli- 
cation of appropriate treatment; and when the diagnosis is right, as a rule 
improvement at once follows their expulsion. 
In other cases of paralysis occurring suddenly, the first step should be to free 
the bowels by means of an active purge. Then the condition of the bladder 
should be determined by watching ; and if paralyzed, and the animal unable to 
void his urine, he must be relieved by means of a catheter. 
Where the cause of paralysis can be determined, manifestly it should be 
removed if possible. If occasioned by pressure, the same must be relieved; or 
if by a poison, the proper antidote is in order. 
Paralysis following distemper or other acute disease may not at once require 
any special medicinal treatment. If by the means of careful nursing, generous 
and nutritious diet and tonics, the general health is built up, some improvement 
in the paralysis may occur in the course of two or three weeks; but if not, a 
nerve stimulant must be given. In the meantime the paralyzed parts should be 
manipulated and hand-rubbed for at least ten minutes daily, to maintain the 
integrity of the affected muscles, that they may be able to respond to the nerve 
current and force when it is again turned on. 
Electricity would be of great benefit in most cases, but its application to the 
dog is attended with so many difficulties it can never be a popular remedy. 
The beneficial effect of hand-rubbing may be increased somewhat by a stimu- 
lating liniment; and in cases in which the paralysis has existed several weeks, 
small fly-blisters will likely be of value. 
Where the loss of power is only partial, rest for the first two weeks should be 
enforced, but after that, daily efforts to move about should be encouraged. 
The medicinal agent to be depended upon as a nerve stimulant is strychnia. 
From druggists may be obtained granules containing various amounts of the 
sulphate of strychnia,—from one two-hundredths up to one-twentieth of a grain, 
— therefore the doses can be easily adjusted; and the granules being of uniform 
Strength, the use of this powerful agent ought to be perfectly safe. 
As the doses are to be increased every sixth day, the purchases should be 
limited to twelve granules ; one to be given twice daily, with the breakfast and 
‘supper. 
The commencing dose for pups over six months old and of medium or large 
size breeds is one-sixtieth ; if about the size of fox terriers, one one-hundredth ; 
for toys, one two-hundredths of a grain. 
The second lot of twelve granules should contain about one-twentieth of a 
grain more strychnia. That is, the granules right for medium and large size 
breeds would be one-fortieth of a grain; for fox terriers and the like, one- 
