136 THE PKAUTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



. Symptoms. — After the disease has attained a certain stage, 

 it is very easily diagnosed. At first, however, when the 

 premonitory symptoms are presenting themselves, especially 

 if it is going to be a mild case, it is slightly difficult to diag- 

 nose, unless the practitioner has had considerable experience 

 with the disease, and is well acquainted with its nature. 

 There is more or less contraction of the muscles and stitfness 

 about the injured part, if it is due to an injury. Most 

 commonly the first symptom noticed is contraction of the 

 muscles of the head and neck. The nose is poked out, the 

 head being held in a peculiarly stitf and uncomfortable 

 position, something similar to the position assumed in a case 

 of acute laryngitis. There is a slight dribbling of saliva from 

 the mouth. The course of the levator humeri muscle is 

 well defined, the muscle standing out very prominently, 

 and, on being felt, is found to be as rigid and unyielding as 

 a piece of granite. The other muscles can be traced also in 

 their course, but are much less prominent than the one 

 spoken of. The patient is very easily excited, and if struck 

 or pulled to one side, a convulsion of more or less severity 

 ensues. The head and tail are quickly elevated, the animal 

 trembles all over, the membrana nictitans passes over the 

 eyeball, in some cases to such an extent as to almost com- 

 pletely obscure the eyeball. Also, on elevating the head, 

 or in any way exciting the patient, the membrana nictitans 

 is at once projected and the nostrils become dilated. The 

 animal stands in a peculiarly stifip position, with his fore-legs 

 extending forward and his hind-legs extending backwards, 

 and the legs are held wider apart than usual, as though the 

 patient was afraid of falling, and had, as it were, propped 

 himself up. It seems as though the feet are rooted to the 

 ground. The animal will no', willingly move, and when he 

 does, it is only with the greatest difficulty. The pulse 

 varies to a remarkable extent in frequency, in some cases 



