208 THE DISEASES 0» THE DOG. 



found in the dog, but also the excentric or reflex form. 

 Thus teething, irritation from worms in the alimentary 

 canal, and pregnancy, also accumulation of hard irritant 

 faeces in the large intestine, may cause more or less com- 

 plete paralysis. The frequency of paralysis in connection 

 with inflammatory or other painful disorders in the bowels 

 in the dog is a point of interest and importance. Acute 

 palsy in him is very frequently accompanied by vomition 

 and intestinal pains. Amaurosis may be present in 

 paralysed animals ; both motion and sensation or either of 

 them may be lost either completely or partially. As 

 almost every form of debility in the dog culminates in the 

 loss of motor power, especially of the hind limbs, so the 

 anaemia of extreme obesity will be found a fruitful source 

 of paralysis. Treatment consists in determining the cause 

 of the loss of power and its removal. The cause may be 

 depressed fracture, injury to nerves or spinal cord, 

 derangement of the alimentary canal, and so on. When 

 the special cause of the case has been removed or palliated, 

 a cathartic may be given with a view to the expulsion of 

 any possible source of irritation from the bowels. The 

 animal must receive simple but nutrient food, be kept warm 

 and treated with tonics. "When the loss of power is persis- 

 tent or recurrent, counter-irritation must be applied over the 

 part supposed to be injured or the main seat of disease. 

 Blisters or setons thus prove useful. In confirmed cases 

 electric shocks have been resorted to with benefit, and 

 strychnia in half-grain doses has assisted to restore the 

 animal to health. In acute cases, where much irritation of 

 the cord and its membranes has to be dealt with, hydro- 

 cyanic acid doses may be tried. We must always 

 remember that in the dog paralysis is very liable to 

 recur, and that, therefore, a course of iodide of potassium 

 (internally and externally) is likely to be of benefit to 

 promote absorption of deposits. During the progress of 

 these cases the liability of the patient to bedsores must be 

 constantly kept in mind; he should be frequently turned over 

 from the side on which he is recumbent. The urine may be 

 drawn off with a catheter frequently. Youatt relates an 



