352 Tlie Farmer's Vetervnary Ad/oiser. 



movable the paralysis is necessarily incurable. In cases of 

 inflammation we must proceed as advised for inflammation 

 of the brain or spinal cord. Then apply cold douclies and 

 friction to the paralyzed part, followed by a blistei'. Blis- 

 ters may also be applied to the neighborhood of the nerve- 

 centre presiding over the part. In some cases the application 

 of the hot iron lightly is beneficial. A current of electricity 

 directed along the course of the nerve or through the para- 

 lyzed muscles may be repeated daily with the best results ; 

 or nerve-stimulants (nux vomica, strychnia, nitrate of silver, 

 etc.) may be given twice daily, commencing with small 

 doses and gradually increasing them until twitching or 

 slight cramps of the muscles are seen ; then stop their ad- 

 ministration for a few days, and resume with half the 

 former doses. Never continue when the system is affected, 

 as shown by muscular jerking. In some cases of local paral- 

 ysis (retina, etc.) excellent results are obtained from sub- 

 cutaneous injections of strychnia. 



STOMACH STAGGEES AKD ACUTE LEAD POISONmG. 



These are affections commencing with functional stomach 

 and brain disorder, and leading to congestion and inflamma- 

 tion of the great nerve-centres, and deserve a special notice. 



The stomach staggers of horses and cattle usually arise 

 from eating particular articles of food, such as the different 

 forms of rye-grass, millet, vetches, tares, etc., when ripen- 

 ing and not yet cured. A poisonous principle exists, which, 

 in the case of the Lolium temulentum, has been separated as 

 an extract, and administered with fatal effects to horses, 

 cattle and dogs. It acts by paralyzing the stomach and 

 congesting the brain. Cattle will suffer similarly from the 

 very rich vegetation of spring, from the dry, irritating fibrous 

 grass mixed with the aftermath, or from a sudden change 

 from soft to hard water. In Southern Kansas, Indian Ter- 

 ritory, and New Mexico, the " loco " plant produces a simi- 

 lar nervous disorder with an increasing fondness for the 

 plant, and finally death. 



