334 LOCKED JAW. 



are occasioned by a horse's picking up a nail ; in which case 

 the wound, instead of being kept open by the owner, or his 

 attendant, is suffered to close up, in consequence of which, if 

 there is the slightest disposition to ulceration, matter is formed 

 under the horn or hoof, which develops the most alarming 

 symptoms, usually in about two weeks after the wound has 

 healed. When locked jaw is the result of wounds, it is called 

 symptomatic, or traumatic ; when existing without apparent 

 cause, it is called idiopathic. The latter is said to be caused in 

 some cases by the action of bots and of worms in the intestines. 



The first symptoms observable are a stiff, straggling gait 

 behind ; rigidity of the muscles of the jaw, completely locking 

 the jaws together; the tongue is sometimes swollen, and con- 

 siderable saliva flows from the mouth. As the disease pro-* 

 grasses, the muscles throughout the body become rigid; the 

 animal turns as though there was not a joint in the body ; the 

 nose is poked out, the nostrils dilated, and respiration disturbed ; 

 the bowels are almost invariably constipated ; on elevating the 

 head, a spasmodic or flickering motion of the eye will be ob- 

 served, exposing little more than the white parts. When the 

 disease is confined to the head and neck, it is called trismus; 

 when extended to all parts of the body, it is termed tetaiiKs. 



There can scarcely be any principle laid down to govern the 

 treatment of this disease, as cases have recovered under all kinds 

 of treatment. The great object is to get the bowels opened ; 

 when this is accomplished, the cases usually have a favorable 

 termination ; but when the jaws are firmly set, the prospects are 

 very limited. Give, if possible, by the mouth one ounce of aloes, 

 ten drops of croton oil, two drachms of pulverized gentian root, 

 and one drachm of ginger; make into one ball with molasses. 



