PAEALYSIS OF THE LOINS. 545 



Paralysis of the Loins from Spinal Congestion. 



The following remarks on this form of paralysis, should be read 

 in connection with the preceding section : — 



There is but little doubt that the paralysis of the loins which 

 is sudden in its attack, and is met with in various parts of India 

 and other hot countries (p. 542), and also, though less frequently, 

 in temperate ones, is often due to congestion of the spinal cord. 

 In the East, it is common in places which have a damp, warm 

 climate, and are subject, at times, to cold, dry winds, especially 

 east winds, if in the interior ; or " land winds," if on the sea-coast. 



This paralysis is sometimes met with in Cambridgeshire — where 

 I have seen cases of it — and other fen counties. Chill seems to be 

 the usual cause of this complaint, to alleviate which, treatment 

 appears to be of little avail. 



BREEDS OF HORSES MOST SUBJECT TO THIS PARALYSIS 

 IN INDIA. — In India, Arab and Australian horses are peculiarly 

 liable to spinal congestion. As they are the only horses imported 

 in large numbers into India, it may reasonably be concluded that 

 any other foreign animals would be equally susceptible. Indi- 

 genous ponies, and, to a less extent, indigenous horses, enjoy a 

 comparative immunity. Arab stallions are much more liable to 

 get this disease than any other kinds of horses. With very few 

 exceptions, the Arabs imported into India and other countries, are 

 entires ; and geldings predominate to an equal extent among the 

 Colonial importations. The proneness of Arab entire horses to 

 this complaint is usually attributed to the fact that a large number 

 of them contract the habit of masturbation, and thereby weaken 

 themselves. Arab race-horses which are properly looked after, 

 rarely get paralysed in the loins. 



SYMPTOMS OF SPINAL CONGESTION.— The symptoms be- 

 come developed without warning. Often, on the groom coming 

 into the stable the first thing in the morning, the horse is found to 

 be more or less paralysed in his hind quarters. Or, having carried 

 his master in the early morning with all his wonted power and 

 dash, he may be discovered, similarly affected, after having been 

 left for a few hours in his stall, where, it is probable, he has 

 received a chiU after work. In some cases, the attack is so severe 

 that the animal is unable to stand from the commencement, and 



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