79 
A CASE OF PARALYSIS OF THE LUMBAR REGION 
OF A COW. 
By Mr. J. H. SHENTON, Pendleton , near Manchester. 
Having a short time ago been professionally called upon to 
visit an interesting case of paralysis of the lumbar region of a 
cow, and not having lately seen a similar case recorded, I am in- 
duced to send you a rough sketch of it. If you deem it worthy 
of a corner in The VETERINARIAN, it is at your service to use as 
you think proper. 
The subject was a valuable cow, of the improved short-horn 
breed. She was an old noted one (or one that had calved many 
a time), and was about to be fed for the butcher. Previously to 
this attack she had invariably enjoyed good health, and had been 
a very good milker. She was the property of the Messrs. Barton, 
of the New Hall Fold, which is, by far, the most extensive dairy 
farm in the vicinity of Manchester. 
On the morning of Sunday, the 15th of December, 1844, as one 
of the men went to milk her as usual, he observed that she was 
lying down, and could not get up when urged to do so. He also 
observed that she did not eat the provender that had been put 
before her a short time previously. 
He immediately informed the foreman of the circumstance, who 
sent me information as soon as possible. I accordingly attended, 
and on examination of the cow found the following appearances : — 
My patient was lying down, and occasionally attempting to get up. 
She could raise herself on her haunches like a dog, but could not 
raise her hind extremities. Her eyes were full, and expressive of 
great pain — the pulse full and bounding — the action of the heart 
was very strong, and could be felt on any part of her body — the 
mouth very hot — the tongue swollen — the conjunctival and Schnei- 
derian membranes in a high state of inflammation, and of a dark 
scarlet colour — evident symptoms of soreness and tenderness of the 
lumbar region when it was compressed or touched — severe tre- 
mor in the hind parts, especially the tail — great nervous irrita- 
bility — appetite impaired — bowels constipated — rumination sus- 
pended, and partial cessation of the secretion of milk. 
I ordered my patient to be immediately removed, with all pos- 
sible care, into a comfortable loose box. Accordingly we got a 
number of men about us, and by main force lifted her upon her 
legs ; but she reeled and staggered very much, the pasterns were 
flexed forward, and when she walked she dragged her left hind 
leg behind her. However, by the aid of the men holding her up 
