18 HORSE, SWINE AND POULTRY DISEASES 



General Appearance. In tetanus, or lockjaw, the muscles of the 

 face, neck, and shoulders are stiff and rigid, as well as the muscles of 

 the jaw. This condition produces a peculiar attitude, that once seen 

 is subsequently recognized as rather characteristic of this disease. A 

 horse with tetanus stands with his muscles tense and his legs in a 

 somewhat bracing position, as though he were gathered to repel a 

 shock. The neck is stiff and hard, the face is drawn, and the nostrils 

 are dilated. The tail is usually held up a little, and when pressed 

 down against the thighs it springs back to its previous position. In 

 inflammation of the throat the head is extended upon the neck, and 

 the angle between the jaw and the lower border of the neck is opened 

 as far as possible to relieve the pressure that otherwise would fall 

 upon the throat. In dumminess, or immobility, the hanging posi- 

 tion of the head and the stupid expression are rather characteristic. 

 In pleurisy, peritonitis, and some other painful diseases of the inter- 

 nal organs, the rigid position of the body denotes an effort of the ani- 

 mal to avoid pressure upon and to protect the inflamed sensitive 

 region. 



The horse may be down in a stall and unable to rise. This con- 

 dition may result from azoturia, from forage poisoning, from tetanus, 

 or from painful conditions of the bones or feet, such as founder. 

 Lying down at unusual times or in unusual positions may indicate 

 disease. The first symptom of colic may be a desire on the part of 

 the horse to lie down at a time or place that is unusual or inappropri- 

 ate. Sometimes disinclination to lie down is an indication of disease. 

 Where there is difficulty in breathing, the horse knows that he can 

 manage himself better upon his feet than upon his breast or his side. 

 It happens, therefore, that in nearly all serious diseases of the respira- 

 tory tract the horse stands persistently, day and night, until recovery 

 has commenced and breathing is easier, or until the animal falls 

 from 1 sheer exhaustion. Where there is stiffness and soreness of the 

 muscles, as in rheumatism, inflammation of the muscles from over- 

 work, or of the feet in founder, or where the muscles are stiff and be- 

 yond control of the animal, as in tetanus, a standing position is main- 

 tained, because the horse seems to realize that when he lies down he 

 will be unable to arise. 



Abnormal attitudes are assumed in painful diseases of the diges- 

 tive organs (colic). A horse with colic may sit upon his haunches, 

 like a dog, or may stand upon his hind feet and rest upon his knees 

 in front, or may endeavor to balance himself upon his back, with all 

 four feet in the air. These positions are assumed because they give 

 relief from pain by lessening pressure, or tension, upon the sensitive 

 structures. 



Under the general condition of the animal it is necessary to ob- 

 serve the condition, or state, of nutrition ; the conformation, so far as 

 it may indicate the constitution ; and the temperament. By observ- 

 ing the condition of nutrition one may be able to determine to a cer- 

 tain extent the effect that the disease has already had upon the animal 

 and to estimate the amount of strength that remains and that will be 

 available for the repair of the diseased tissues. A good condition of 



