TETANUS, OR LOCKED JAW. 15 



tions of the shoulders become immovably fixed. After this, 

 there is no hope of the mouth being opened again, and the 

 horse, if not killed, must die of starvation. In a short time 

 nearly the whole muscles of the body are spasmodically 

 affected. 



Causes. — This disease proceeds from a portion of the 

 nerves being injured, in consequence of a wound having 

 been sustained by one of the ligaments or the tendons. It 

 sometimes comes on instantaneously, after the infliction of 

 a wound, or sometimes a considerable time afterwards. Nick- 

 ing and docking have frequently caused this affection of the 

 nervous system. It is also often caused by the animal being 

 allowed to cool suddenly when very warm. Worms have 

 also been known to be the remote or proximate cause of 

 tetanus. The bots have also produced it. The usual way 

 in which this disease comes on seldom leads to a suspicion 

 of what it is, as few who have not previously watched its 

 progress can trace its character. Hence, it has assumed its 

 climax before persons are aware of it. In this condition, 

 therefore, it can seldom be cured, from the difficulty of 

 administering medicines. 



Remedies. — Bleeding has been found to be efficacious in 

 some cases. From eighteen to twenty pounds of blood may 

 be taken from the jugular veins on both sides of the neck. 

 If the cause of the disease has been from docking, the opera- 

 tion should be repeated higher up ; and if from nicking, by 

 making a deeper incision, by these means the spasms have 

 been in many instances removed. Another mode is by ^^ounter 

 irritation. Medicine taken in water should be next resorted 

 to. The powdered croton is the most effectual, when the animal 

 is capable of taking it in a drink. Half a drachm may be 

 given at first, and afterwards from eight to ten grains at 

 intervals of six hours, until it acts as a purgative. To faci- 



