130 PARAPLEGIA OR NERVOUS APOPLEXY. 
every other means, being employed for the comfort and 
warmth of the animal. 
The medical treatment was directed to the restoring of 
the nervous and digestive functions, which constituted the 
grand secret of the cure. Mineral or vegetable tonics, the 
alkalies and belladonna, being persevered steadily in the use 
of, in moderate and repeated doses. These efforts were re- 
warded by a visible return of strength, indicated by a greater 
ability to sit erect ; or when the animal has been temporarily 
left, it was not unlikely he would be found on his legs, either 
shaking himself or turning over the contents of the manger. 
The worst case I had was a two-year-old cart-colt, which 
lay down for six days, being, during this time, frequently 
turned and packed up with straw. 
As to bleeding, I have not seen a case where I felt justi- 
fied in even entertaining a thought of it, for the paralysis 
depends entirely upon a want of nervous energy, induced by 
an abnormal state of the blood, which is greatly deficient 
both in water and salts ; a fact proved by the rapidity with 
which a change is effected in these cases by the use of the 
ammonia and potash salts, the latter being given in small 
doses frequently repeated. 
Upon a recent visit to an aged cart-mare, which had fallen 
during the night, after she was taken from grass, I found an 
inversion of the vagina, accompanied with profuse staling. 
Partial motion of the hind extremities existed, but no sen- 
sation, for a penknife might be pushed into any part with 
impunity. After close cross-examination, I elicited from one 
of the men that the mare being rather dull, it was decided to 
make a trial of saltpetre; four ounces of which salt were 
accordingly given her, in a pail of cold water. This had pro- 
duced such an aggravation of the disease, that she died in a 
few hours. 
As to slinging the paralytic patients, I have the strongest 
objection, since it so greatly interferes with the process of 
respiration, which is already too much obstructed. I therefore 
prefer the plan I have adopted, namely, of propping them 
up in a roomy place, with clean, dry straw. And when the 
animal evinces a desire to rise, help timely applied generally 
succeeds in getting him upon his feet; and if it is only for a 
few seconds it has not been without its good effect, for no 
one could fail to observe the improvement which follows the 
change of position ; and although he falls like a drunken 
man, all the legs being doubled under him, as if shot, the 
next time he tries to get up he evinces more strength and 
confidence in the attempt. 
