PARALYSIS OF THE ANTERIOR CRURAL NERVE 163 



apparent from the large depression which is found above the stifle. The 

 skin of the part is thrown into vertical folds, and the bellies of the muscles 

 having lost their bulk, their longitudinal axes become more elongated, 

 with the result that the stifle is let down to a lower level, a feature 

 which has caused the name " dropped stifle " to be frequently given to this 

 affection. At a still later stage the animal recovers the power to a certain 

 extent of fixing the stifle, the abductors and adductors seemingly taking 

 upon themselves the function of the extensors in this respect. During 

 the course of the disease the animal feeds well, and its general condition 

 is well maintained. 



It not infrequently happens that an animal in an advanced stage of 

 crural paralysis after a few days' rest moves well when brought out of the 

 stable, and uses the limb without much apparent inconvenience. The 

 author has frequently known such animals to have been put to work, the 

 owner being under the impression that a complete recovery had been 

 made. In chains, work may be performed without anything startling 

 occurring, but if in shafts, as soon as weight is placed on the back the 

 animal collapses towards the side of the affected limb, the waggoner being 

 usually under the impression that the animal has broken its back. 



Prognosis is most unfavourable in those cases in which the animal 

 quickly loses complete control over the stifle joint. 



The difficulties in treating cases of paralysis of this nerve will be 

 readily appreciated from our description of its anatomical position, which 

 renders external applications ot little effect on the nerve itself. Treatment 

 is therefore mainly directed to the affected muscles, the frequent massaging 

 and kneading of which, together with the application of counter-irritants, 

 tend to assist them to regain their normal bulk. Frequent exercise is 

 also indicated ; in fact, the treatment follows the general principles 

 to be observed in treating paralysis, which were dealt witli fully in 

 Part II. 



