PALSY IN CATTLE. 
75 
the thick skin of the ox ; and many a hearty rubbing with a brush 
or a wisp of straw, must take place over the whole of the lumbar 
region. Turpentine and hartshorn, and tincture of cantharides, 
must form the basis of your liniments. From setons 1 have 
never derived service: blisters have seldom risen well. A mus- 
tard poultice has done more good than either of them : but that 
on which the chief dependence is to be placed is a charge, cover- 
ing completely the loins, containing the full proportion of can- 
tharides, and from its adhesive quality continuing, for many a 
week, gentle and constant stimulus and warmth, and much 
mechanical support to the part. 
Strychnine . — The nux vomica and the essential principle of it 
have been celebrated for their power in the cure of palsy. We 
should expect much from them, and especially from the strych- 
nine ; for it seems to be a point established by experiments on 
animals, that it exerts its especial and principal influence on the 
spinal marrow, acting as a stimulus : and, when it has produced 
death, effecting it by means of inflammation and congestion of 
the spinal chord. Now, in affections like palsy in cattle, which 
would appear to proceed oftener than otherwise from the debili- 
tating effects of cold suddenly or too habitually applied, this would 
be the medicine to which, probably, we should first and with the 
greatest confidence resort. Our continental brethren have done 
so, and they were successful. I will give you the first recorded 
case of it : this is but common justice to M. Taiche : — 
Successful Case of the Use of Strychnine. — “ On the 22d of 
October, 1824,” says he, “ a working ox lay down several times 
while at work, and was with considerable difficulty induced to 
get up again. 
“ On the 23d, the difficulty of rising was still greater, and he 
was left at home. 
“ On the 25th he was unable to rise. 
“ On the 26th I was requested to see him. He was five years 
old, and of moderate size and condition. He was lying down, 
and it was impossible to raise him ; his skin had a dry harsh 
feeling, and stuck to the ribs ; his loins, of the ordinary tempera- 
ture, were tender when pressed upon ; his hind limbs retained 
their natural sensibility and feeling, but the power of moving 
them was in a manner gone. The other functions did not seem 
to be affected. No fracture or dislocation of the spine could be 
detected after the most careful examination. Three drachms of 
the spirit of sal ammoniac (liquor ammoniae) were administered, 
and a stimulating liniment was ordered to be rubbed into the 
loins. This was repeated on the 27th and 28th. 
“ On the 28th he was raised with great difficulty ; he sup- 
