DISEASES OF THE KEEVOUS SYSTEM. 231 



origin, disease of the rectum, tumors growing within the pelvic cav- 

 ity, injury to the spinal cord, etc. 



Paralysis of the- optic kerve (amaurosis). — ^A paralysis of eye- 

 sight may-occur very suddenly from rupture of a blood vessel in the 

 brain, acute local congestion of the brain, the administration of ex- 

 cessive doses of belladonna or its alkaloid atropia, etc. In amaurosis 

 the pupil is dilated to its full extent; the eye looks clear, but does 

 not respond to light. 



Paralysis of hearing, of the external ear, of the eyelid, partial 

 paralysis of the heart and organs of respiration, of the blood vessels 

 from injury to the vasomotor nerves of the esophagus, or loss of 

 deglutition, palsy of the stomach, all may be manifested when the 

 supply of nervous influence is impaired or suspended. 



Treatment foe paralysis. — ;In all paralytic affections there niay be 

 anesthesia, or impairment of sensibility, in addition to the loss of 

 motion, or there may be hyperesthesia, or increased sensibility, in 

 connection with the loss of motion. These conditions may call for 

 special treatment in addition to that for loss of motion. If hyper- 

 esthesia is well marked local anodynes may be needed to relieve 

 suffering. Chloroform liniment or hypodermic injections of from 

 3 to 5 grains of sulphate of morphia will allay local pain. If there is 

 marked anesthesia, or loss of sensibility, it may become necessary to 

 secure the animal in such way that he can not suffer serious injury 

 from accidents which he can not avoid or feel. In the treatment 

 of any form of paralysis we must always refer to the cause, and 

 attempt its removal if it can be discovered. In cases in which the 

 cause can not be determined we have to rely solely upon a general 

 external and internal treatment. Externally, fly blisters or strong, 

 irritant liniments may be applied to the paralyzed parts. In hemi- 

 plegia they should be applied along the bony part of the side of the 

 neck ; in paraplegia, across the loins. In some cases hot-water cloths 

 will be beneficial. Internally, it is well to administer 1 dram of 

 powdered nux vomica or 2 grains of sulphate of strychnia twice a 

 day until twitching of some of the voluntary muscles occurs; then 

 discontinue it for several days, and then commence again with a 

 smaller dose, gradually increasing it until twitching recurs. lodid 

 of potassium in 1 to 2 dram doses two or three times daily may be used 

 with the hope that it will favor the absorption of the clot or obstruc- 

 tion to the nervous current. In some cases Fowler's solution of 

 arsenic in teaspoonful doses twice a day in the drinking water 

 proves beneficial. Occasionally benefit may be derived from the 

 application of the electric current, especially in cases of roaring, 

 facial paralysis, paralysis of the eyelid, etc. Nutritious but not 

 two bulky feed, good ventilation, clean stabling, moderate exercise 

 if the animal is capable of taking it, good grooming, etc., should 

 be observed in all cases. 



