PISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. 231 
origin, disease of the rectum, tumors growing within the pelvic cay- 
ity, injury to the spinal cord, etc. 
PaRALYSIS OF THE OPTIC NERVE (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 externai 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 FoR PARALYSIS.—In all paralytic affections there may 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 
8 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. Iodid 
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. 
