46 Lock Jaw 



DIAGNOSIS 



If a horse is suspected of glanders the Mallen test should be given. 

 This extract is injected beneath the skin. In 1 to 24 hours, usually 6 to 8 

 hours the fever will rise two or more degrees and the horse will swell 

 at the point of the injection. The fever falls in the course of a few 

 hours and may rise again the following day. If the horse has little or no 

 fever at the beginning of this test it is reliable but is unreliable if fever 

 is present. 



TREATMENTS 



Most state laws compel the killing of horses effected with glanders. 

 It is the duty of the state veterinarian and his deputies to investigate sus- 

 pected cases and make arrangements for the compensation of the owners. 

 Due to the danger to both man and beast it is only prudent to destroy 

 such animals. 



LOCK JAW 



(Tetanus) 



This disease is caused by a specific disease germ which produces 

 a poison that causes involuntary contraction (spasms) of one or more 

 muscles of the body. When outside the animal body this germ will throw 

 a thickened wall around its body thus enabling it to live many months, 

 but when the proper environment is met it springs from its dormant 

 state and begins rapid multiplication. 



Outside the body of the horse the germ is most prevalent in the soil 

 and manure where air is excluded. On some farms the germ seems to 

 develop at every opportunity, while on other farms lock jaw has never 

 been known. 



This disease germ is carried into deep wounds usually by foreign 

 matter penetrating deep into the body tissues such as old rusty barb 

 wire recovered from the earth, nails run into the hoofs or flesh, or the 

 germs may be carried into the body by foreign matter remaining on the 

 cord at castration. Wire cuts which leave ragged edges and heal on the 

 outer surface excluding air are favorable to the development of lock jaw. 

 Most people are prone to believe a deep wound is necessary for lock jaiv 

 but my observations have led me to conclude it will develop in a 



