796 INDEX OF DISEASES AND REMEDIES 



TENDONS OR LIGAMENTS, RUPTURED continued. 



Treat as for fractured bones ; keep parts perfectly quiescent. 



Splints, starch or plaster bandages, slings. 



When inflammation moderated stimulate externally. 



TETANUS. 



Lockjaw. Tonic muscular spasms depending on a toxin, produced by 

 an anaerobic bristle-shaped microbe. This organism is found in many 

 soils, is inoculable from animal to animal ; when brought into con- 

 tact with a part, especially if bruised or injured, it produces its 

 tetanising toxin, which acts like strychnine on the spinal cord. 

 Horses and sheep are most susceptible, cattle, swine, and dogs less 

 susceptible. 



There is hope of recovery if the amount of toxin circulated is limited, 

 if its production by attention to the wound can be arrested, and the 

 patient's strength sustained. 



The infected wound when apparent must be rendered aseptic ; if 



closed, may be opened, cauterised, disinfected, or when practicable, 



excised. In lambs and other young animals cleanse and disinfect the 



navel cord. 



Although the jaws are closed, most patients suck up sloppy food, which 



is rendered as nutritive as possible and offered frequently. 

 Action of bowels encouraged by mashes, gruel, treacle, and salines in 



drinking water, which should be within reach. 

 Place horse in darkened box, where he will not be disturbed ; slings may 



be required. 

 Medicines are of little avail. Bromides, prussic acid, and chloral afford 



temporary relief, especially where excitement considerable. 

 Powdered opium and cannabis indica extract, thirty grains each in 



electuary, placed thrice daily within the cheek. 



Occasional administration of chloroform relaxes spasms for a time, and 

 may enable food to be swallowed ; but this advantage in some 

 patients may be counterbalanced by the irritation caused by giving 

 the anaesthetic. 



Tetanus antitoxin renders rabbits, mice, sheep, and horses, resistant to 

 the inoculation of toxic doses of virus ; but as a curative its value is 

 doubtful. Further trial desirable. (See pp. 7, 697.) 



TEXAS FEVER. See PIROPLASMOSIS. 



THICK WIND IN HORSES. 



May be due to thickening of the mucous lining of the bronchial tubes, 



or imperfect power of emptying, the air-cells (emphysema). 

 Seldom curable, but relieved by good, rather concentrated, damped food, 



and regular exercise. 



Allow water in moderate quantity frequently. 

 Believe gastro-intestinal irregularity. 



THOROUGH-PIN or THE HOCK. 



A bursal enlargement on the lateral aspect of the horse's hock, arising 

 from disease of the sheath of the flexor pedis perforans tendon, or, 

 when co-existing with bog spavin, from dropsy of the true hock 

 joint. Generally more unsightly than troublesome. 

 Rest, high-heeled shoe, flannel bandages. 

 Equable pressure from a spring truss. 



Where the swelling is not thus reduced apply a blister or fire in lines. 

 Other treatment failing, the distended bursa may be aspirated. 

 Thorough-pin of the knee consists in distension of the sheath containing 

 the perforatus and perforans tendons at the back of the knee-joint. 

 Generally caused by injury ; lameness well marked. 

 Treated similarly to thorough-pin of the hock ; fomentations, and later 

 by mild blister. 



