80 LOCKED JAW. 



The first thing that strikes the observer is a protrusion of the 

 muzzle, and stifihess of the neck ; and, on passing the hand down 

 it, the muscles will be found singularly prominent, distinct, hard, 

 knotty, and unyielding. There is difficulty in bringing the head 

 round, and still greater difficulty in bending it. The eye is 

 drawn deep within the socket, and, in consequence of this, the 

 fatty matter behind the eye is pressed forward ; the haw is also 

 protruded, and there is an appearance of strabismus, or squinting, 

 in an outward direction. 



The ears are erect, pointed forward, and immovable ; if the 

 horse is spoken to, or threatened to be struck, they change not 

 their position. Considering the beautiful play of the ear of the 

 horse when in health, and the kind of conversation which he 

 maintains by the motion of it, there is not a more characteristic 

 symptom of tetanus than this immobility of the ear. The nostril 

 is expanded to the utmost, and there is little or no play of it, as 

 in hurried or even natural breathing. The respiration is usually 

 accelerated, yet not always so ; but it is uniformly laborious. 

 The pulse gives little indication of the severity of the disease. 

 It is sometimes scarcely affected. It will be rapidly accelerated 

 when any one approaches the animal and offers to touch him, but 

 it presently quiets down again almost to its natural standard. 

 After a while, hoAvever, the heart begins to sympathize with the 

 general excitation of the system, and the pulse increases in fre- 

 quency and Ibrce until the animal becomes debilitated, when it 

 beats yet quicker and quicker, but diminishes in power, and 

 gradually flutters and dies away. 



The countenance is eager, anxious, haggard, and tells plainly 

 enough what the animal suffers. 



The stiffness gradually extends to the back. If the horse is in 

 a narrow stall, it is impossible to turn him ; and, even with room 

 and scope enough, he turns altogether like a deal-board. 



The extremities begin to participate in the spasm — the hinder 

 ones generally first, but never to the extent to which it exists in 

 the neck and back. The horse stands with his hind-legs strad- 

 dling apart in a singular way. The whole of the limb moves, oi 

 rather is dragged on, together, and anxious care is taken that no 

 joint shall be flexed more than can possibly be helped. The fore 

 limbs have a singular appearance ; they are as stifle as they can 

 possibly be, but stretched forward and straddling They have 

 not unaptly been compared to the legs of a form. 



The abdominal muscles gradually become involved. They 

 seem to contract with all the power they possess, and there is a 

 degree of " hide-bound" appearance, and of tucking up of the 

 belly, which is seen under no other complaint. The tail becomes 



