PALSY
—is a disorder, or rather a species of disorder, so nearly allied to the various degrees of staggers, apoplexy, or deprivation of sense, that the best Veterinary writers do not seem to have laid down any fixed rule, or unerring diagnostic, by which the discriminating shades, or predominant traits, of each are to be precisely ascertained. As the causes may be different of either, so the disorder may be more or less violent, according to the gradational excess of the cause. One attack of the species may arise from a too great and sensible flux of the blood to the brain, producing a severe and rapid inflammation: this, of course, might be introduced by extra exertions of continued speed, or in drawing loads of unreasonable weight; as well as from cruel and inhuman blows about the head; and from the two latter it is, that most of these disquietudes certainly proceed. Where the whole frame is affected, it is then natural to conclude the BRAIN is more particularly the SEAT of DISEASE, and that the whole system is from thence universally affected; but where the attack is partial, affecting only one limb and extremity, or any single part of the frame, it has then more the appearance of spasmodic affection, acting solely upon the muscles of the precise spot so far as they extend; and in the latter case, lay more readily open to a chance of relief by topical application, than where the entire frame and system is affected.
In the former, plentiful bleeding, followed by immediate hot fomentations, prepared from the various aromatic well-known garden herbs; succeeded by almost incessant friction with two able men, whose persevering efforts should alternately relieve each other; rubbing in occasionally stimulative embrocations of camphorated spirits, incorporated with essential oils; will frequently relieve in a very short space of time. In cases where the whole frame is affected, more reliance must be placed upon internal administrations; because the same means applicable to a single limb, or extremity, cannot be brought into perfect use with the whole. Bleeding, and persevering FRICTION, are as strictly proper in one as in the other; but the extreme irritability of the nervous system should be acted upon and reduced with all possible and proper expedition: camphire, assafœtida, and gum ammoniacum, a drachm each, blended with small proportions of opium, and formed into small balls, with a sufficient quantity of mithridate, or London philonium, should be introduced every three or four hours, till there is a termination of the case one way or the other. The ancient and well-founded axiom, that "dangerous diseases require desperate remedies," cannot be more completely verified than in the different species of this; where no hope or expectation of cure can be derived, but from indefatigable exertion, and the most patient perseverance.