278 CHAPTER 83, 



tion, and in regular work, with diet sufficiently laxative to ensure his 

 boweli being moderately open. There is, as the reader is aware, an 

 intimate connection between the state of the stomach and the brain. 



An overloaded or deranged state of the bowels is apt both in man and 

 beast to affect injuriously the functions of the brain. We are also dis- 

 posed to recommend the administration of a dose of opening medicine a 

 little before the time when experience in any particular horse may lead us 

 to expect the periodical recurrence of the attack. 



A piece of wet sponge secured on the head and along the forehead, or 

 a shade over the eyes, especially in sunny weather, may sometimes pre- 

 vent attacks. In lieu of a collar for harness work a breast-band should be 

 substituted, and the bearing rein abolished. And the head-gear should 

 be of the lightest possible description, the throat lash being worn extra 

 loose. 



If the horse it attacked, when in harness, the collar should at once be 

 pushed up the neck, so as to leave the jugular vein free, and the same 

 also refers to the head collar. 



A rnegrimed horse, however, is not to be depended on certainly not in 

 harness. We may perhaps ward off attacks by careful attention to diet, 

 regular work, and occasional physic ; but with all our care sultry weather, 

 hot sun, or hard work may cause a recurrence of the attack. All kinds 

 of treatment have been tried in vain. 



CHAPTER 33. 



TETANUS OR LOCKJAW. 



565, Nature of the disease. 566. Symptoms. 567, Immediate cause 

 and seat. 568. Treatment. 



565, Nature of the disease. 



Tetanus is a persistent contraction without any relaxation or alterna- 

 tion of the voluntary muscles. When the affection is confined to the 

 jaws, it is termed Trismus. 



566. Symptoms. 



The attack is characterised by closure of the jaws, great difficulty in 

 swallowing, rigidity of the limbs, and extreme difficulty in moving. The 

 animal also pokes his nose, as if suffering from sore throat. As the 

 disease advances, the jaws become so tightly locked that neither food nor 

 medicine can be introduced through them. 



Within three or four days, and sometimes earlier, the symptoms reach 

 their height. The ears are erect and turned forwards, the eyes are 

 retracted, and the haw is partially protruded over them. The nostrils 

 are dilated. The animal stands persistently, his legs are stretched wide 



