Paralysis 299 
control of certain muscles. This condition persists 
for some time, or may be more or less permanent. 
Apoplectic fits come on suddenly, and, after the ani- 
mal gains consciousness, recovery is slow. Parturient 
apoplexy in cows is a different disease. See page 212. 
An animal that has had a stroke of apoplexy is of 
little value and treatment is seldom worth while. 
PARALYSIS 
True paralysis is a lack of control of muscles, 
caused, in most cases, by injuries to the nerves. In 
all diseases where there is total or partial unconscious- 
ness, there is a lack of control; but, in true paralysis, the 
animal appears well, except that certain muscles are 
weak and flabby, and the animal has little or no con- 
trol over them. There is no pain, unless associated 
with an injury or caused by the pressure of a tumor. 
In old animals, there is often a paralysis of some of the 
muscles of the face. As a result, the healthy muscles 
pull the affected ones in the opposite direction, giving 
the face a wry appearance. Paralysis resulting from an 
injury usually disappears as the part returns to its 
normal state. In certain cases, rubbing the affected 
muscles with a stimulating liniment, and giving nux 
vomica internally, may be beneficial. Electricity is use- 
ful in some instances. Tincture of nux vomica may 
be given in doses of one drop (for a small dog) to 
thirty drops (for a horse), three times daily. Should 
any twitching of the muscles occur, the dose should 
be reduced or stopped altogether. 
