DISEASES OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 57 



Causes of Traumatic— li is often produced by some injury or other 

 as picking up a nail, treading upon the foot. More likely to follow a 

 punctured than an incised wound. Wound seems to be doing well, but 

 in eight or ten days symptoms of tetanus appear, and may terminate 

 fatally. May occur from some very trifling operation, as docking, nick- 

 ing, castrating, although the operation was perforjaed in the right man- 

 ner ; but more likely to follow improper operations, and has occurred 

 from a blister. I will refer to one thing about castration. We find 

 serious results from cold. Standing in water sets up irritation. Of 

 twenty-four horses castrated, caused to be bathed in cold water, sixteen 

 of them died. It usually makes its appearance just about the time the 

 wound is healing ; generally from six to nine or ten days. Supposed to 

 be from the healing of the wound pressing upon the nerves. Highly ner- 

 vous animals are more subject to it than the opposite. It is more com- 

 mon in warm climates. 



Symptoms. — Soon become very prominent and alarming. It is easily 

 detected ; need have no difficulty in diagnosing the second case, if well 

 marked. First symptom is a peculiar stiffness of the body ; animal holds 

 the head as if suffering from sore throat. Divisions of the muscles can 

 be plainly seen, especially if he is excited. Jerk him suddenly and he 

 will raise the head, and the membrane nictitans will come over the eye. 

 This is a symptom mistaken for the cause of the animal's suffering, and 

 this membrane has been removed. It is often about the first symptom 

 noticed if he is excited. In such a case look at the mouth. It cannot be 

 opened to full extent, if at all. Pulse not much affected nnless animal is 

 greatly excited. But the temperature is much affected, and if he is 

 excited, the pulse may run up twenty beats per minute very quickly. 

 Symptoms become more aggravated ; jaws close tighter ; saliva runs from 

 the mouth ; ears and tail erect ; nose extended ; great pain ; retain sense 

 until the last ; will fall or lie down, and may not be able to rise, and 

 death relieves the suffering. But in the subacute form, symptoms are 

 not so well marked. The animal may be able to eat enough soft food to 

 support him, but cannot masticate solid food. Death or recovery may 

 take place in from three to thirty days. The more acute the symptoms, 

 the more fatal the disease. 



Treatment. — Is sometimes satisfactory, although it is a very fatal dis- 

 ease. If the horse has been attacked for some time with aggravated 

 symptoms, destroy him, but if he can eat, you may try treatment. There 

 is no specific. Attend to the proper care of the animal ; keep as quiet as 

 possible ; treat as a nervous fever ; keep in a comfortable box, away from 

 any noise ; cover slightly but not too heavy. Give constitutional treat- 

 ment — purgatives, six to eight drachms aloes ; injections if costive ; but 

 use no treatment that increases the irritation — belladonna, one drachm 

 two or three times per day. If the jaws are closed, place it back on the 

 tongue. Try hypodermic injections. Prussic acid is recommended of 

 late, given in the water if the animal can drink ; or it has been passed 

 into oesophagus through a tube. Woorari poison, chloroform inhalations, 

 may relieve for the time. Bromide of potassium, I think, is useful in 

 most cases of nervous affections. Feed upon sloppy food, hay and lin- 

 seed tea, and do not drench to any great extent. Give a'most any liquid 

 the animal can take. You may have to use slings ; ma.y swing at night 

 only. Blisters are not of much use. Cold applications might be tried. 

 Use local treatment if due to any injury. If in the foot, pare down and 

 allow the matter to escape, if any. You may have to take off the entire 

 sole. Poultice sores, and use belladona, two parts. Some use poultice of 

 hyoscyamus. Bathe the parts well, but not if it excites. It generally 



