3i8 



ANIMAL MANAGEMENT. 



Lockjaw. 



Ring- 

 worm. 



has any cases of mange are imperative : and all with long coats should 

 be clipped to allow of easier examination. 



Lockjaiu (Tetanus) is caused by a germ which gains entrance to the 

 body by wounds and which is found in the ground. It most usually, 

 therefore, follows such wounds as pricks of the feet and broken knees, 

 which come in contact with the soil. The symptoms are stiffness and 

 constant spasm of the muscles of the jaws (lockjaw), neck and back ; 

 the other muscles of the body may be affected, but it is most noticeable 

 in those mentioned. The jaws are fixed, the tail is drawn to one side 

 and quivers ; if the head is lifted up the haw or third eyelid appears and 

 the animal is very easily startled. The mouth is often seen covered with 

 food from the patient's efforts to eat, and this may be the first thing to 

 draw attention to the case. Treatmoit. — Keep the animal as quiet as 

 possible, separated from others and away from all noise, give a noiseless 

 bed which is easy to walk about on, such as sand or old short litter ; 

 feed on plenty of boiled sloppy food which the animal can suck down ; 

 give at the outset a dose of physic, and having put plenty of food and 

 water within easy reach, do not allow anyone near the animal for twelve 

 hours at a time. Absolute quiet is the best treatment. In all cases look 

 for wounds, and thoroughly cleanse and treat them with antiseptics. 

 Cases which Hve over ten days generally recover if carefully nursed. 



Ring'worm^ round bald patches, covered with greyish scales about 

 the size of a florin, common in all animals and caused by a fungus growing 

 at the root of the hairs, is contagious but not always serious. Clip off the 

 hair round the patch, and dress with iodine (tincture or ointment) both 

 over and around the spot. 



NON-CONTAGIOUS CONDITIONS. 



Staggers, Staggers is a general term, which includes any condition which 



causes the horse to suddenly fall and be incapable of getting up again. 

 The usual causes are pressure of the collar or breast harness on the large 

 vessels of the neck, which causes a congestion of the brain, or the effect 

 of the sun combined with work. This is the usual cause in a hot country, 

 and the attacks are most frequent during damp, muggy weather, horses 

 which pant and feel the heat being most likely to get them. The ox and 

 buffalo also feel the sun greatly when working, and will often lie down 

 and decline to rise if they are exhausted ; in such cases it is better not to 

 attempt to make the animal continue work until recovered from the 

 exhaustion. In horses the symptoms are a sudden reeling gait and 

 generally falling, the hind-quarters being frequently quite paralysed ; 



