MISCELLANEOUS DISEASES. 77 



The germ will not develop in the presence of oxygen; conse- 

 quently, all punctured wounds of the foot should be freely opened 

 to admit of the introduction of air, as well as to allow of thorough 

 cleansing with an antiseptic. This preventive treatment is generally 

 successful. 



In warm countries, especially in tropical climates, cases of tetanus 

 are much more frequent than in cold regions. 



Symptoms. — Tetanic spasms (spasmodic or continuous contrac- 

 tions of the muscles) appear, as a rule, in the muscles of the neck 

 and head; thence they extend to the shoulders, trunk, and extremi- 

 ties; or the stiflFness may start in the region of the injured organ or 

 member. 



Contraction of the cheek muscles; the inferior maxillary is then 

 no longer able to execute the slightest movement, and the prehension 

 and mastication of food becomes difficult or quite impossible. This 

 inability to open the jaws has given to the disease the name of 

 lockjaw. 



Contraction of the great posterior muscles of the eye causes a 

 retraction of this organ within the orbit, and a protrusion of the haw 

 upon the eyeball. 



The animal is very stiff, holds his head in an extended position 

 as if suffering from a sore throat; the tail is elevated and the ears 

 drawn closer together; the nostrils are much dilated; the legs stand 

 apart; the eyes indicate excitement and anxiety, the mucous mem- 

 branes are reddened ; some muscular groups, principally the muscles 

 of the cheeks and of the back of the neck, are hard and distinctly 

 outlined, as if carved; the muscles of the jaws, neck and shoulders, 

 back, lumbar region, croup and tail are as hard as wood. 



The tail and ears may be moved by the hand, but they imme- 

 diately return to their former position. 



There is profuse sweating when the animal is disturbed or when 

 he is in a spasm; respiration is accelerated and laborious. When the 

 patient is approached for an examination, his excitement increases 

 instantly; the lower jaw is pressed hard against the upper, and can 

 not be separated from it, even by the most violent efforts of the 

 examiner; on parting the lips a fetid Uquid runs out of the mouth, 

 which is more or less filled with particles of food ; if the head is lifted 

 the whole haw obscures the greater part of the eyeball. 



Backing is extremely difficult or even impossible; turning is also 

 very laborious; the trunk, neck, and shoulders can not be flexed, 

 the extremities are as stiff as stilts. 



The course of tetanus is variable, according to the individual. 

 It commonly develops rapidly, and death takes place in two or 

 three days. In some cases death occurs more slowly, within four to 

 eight days on an average. In others, again, where the spasm is 



