NEURALGIA OF THE FEMORO-POPLITEAL NERVE. 315 
vulsive motion, and almost depriving the animal of the power 
of bringing them forward : indeed, at last, he could only effect 
this by means of the spinal and croupal muscles, which did not 
appear, like those of the popliteal region, to be withdrawn from 
the influence of the nerves of voluntary motion. In order to 
bring himself back to his natural position, he threw as much as 
possible of his weight on his fore legs, lowered his head, curved 
his spine, and then, by certain muscular efforts, dragged his hind 
legs forward. Many a time I have seen the proprietor of this 
horse take the hind legs, one after another, and bring them for- 
ward, surmounting with some difficulty the convulsive contraction 
of the muscles, and thus place the animal in his natural position. 
After this, the pains ceased. 
In every paroxysm the greater part of these symptoms re- 
turned, and presented the same degree of intensity at the com- 
mencement as at the end of the fit. The convulsions returned 
whenever the horse was teazed, and especially when he was 
forced to move his hind limbs forward. During the remission he 
had all his usual gaiety, fed well, and did not appear to suffer 
any considerable pain: — the pulse was natural, and there was no 
other deviation from a state of perfect health, than the inability 
of bringing one of the hind limbs before the other. 
All these symptoms disappeared from both legs at once, at 
the expiration of about forty-eight hours, and it returned sixteen 
days afterwards, when, as in the first instance, a cold temperature 
of the air followed considerable rain. This new attack did not 
last long. 
My treatment consisted of a mash diet, the internal adminis- 
tration of small doses of spirit of turpentine, and of embroca- 
tions with an opiate liniment over the whole extent of the limb. 
I meant to have applied other means, had a third attack occurred ; 
but a twelvemonth passed, and the horse continued well. 
As to the causes of this affection I have little to say. The 
owner had purchased the horse only eight days before the first 
attack; and I cannot tell in what state he was before the sale, 
nor whether the causes of it dated their existence before or after 
this period. 
The change of locality might have had some influence in the 
production of it ; it was probably the principal cause, for all traces 
of disease disappeared at the end of a month. To this, perhaps, 
may be added the equally powerful influence of the hard work 
and high keep which he had experienced with his new master. 
As to the treatment employed, it could have very little influence 
in removing the complaint. 
