locKED-JAW.] ]\rODERN VETEllINART PRACTICE. 



[LOCKEO-JA.'Vr. 



aiul particularly those of tho upper part of it, 

 are iuiinediately atlocted witli 8pasin, lis it 

 were, drawiiiu; tho upper part of tho head 

 violeiitlv ai\d stroiii^ly baekwartlH. At the same 

 time, tlio muscles which draw up the lower jaw, 

 and which, upon the lirst approach of the 

 disease, were allected, nro now generally 

 iilllicted with more violent spasm, and aet the 

 teeth so closely together, that they do not 

 aduiit of the smallest opening. 



This is what has been named loclced-jaw, or 

 tetanus, and is often the principal part of the 

 disease. When it has advanced thus far, the 

 pain at the top of the neck and lower jaw is 

 renewed witli violence. As it proceeds, a 

 greater number of muscles become affected 

 with spasm. After those of the neck, those 

 along the whole of tho spine become affected, 

 bending the trunk of the body strongly back- 

 wards, whilst the horse keeps his fore legs 

 stretched directly out before him. 



At the extremities, botii the flexor and tho 

 extensor muscles are commonly at the same 

 time affected, and keep the limbs rigidly ex- 

 tended. Though the extensors of the head 

 and back are usually the most strongly affected, 

 yet the flexors, or those muscles of the neck 

 which pull the head forward, as well as the 

 muscles which should pull down the lower jaw, 

 are also, often at the same time, strongly 

 afl'ected with pain and spasm. During the 

 whole of the disease, the abdominal muscles 

 are in a violently spasmodic state, so that the 

 belly of the horse is strongly contracted, and 

 feels as hard as a piece of board. 



At length, the flexors of the head and trunk 

 become so strongly affected, as to balance the 

 extensors, and to keep the head and trunk 

 almost in a straight line, and so rigidly ex- 

 tended, that they are incapable of being moved 

 in any way. It is to this state the term tetanus 

 has been strictly applied. 



At the height of the disease, every organ of 

 Voluntary motion appears to be affected, and 

 amongst the rest, the muscles of the face. The 

 eyes also seem distorted, commonly rigid, and 

 scarcely movable in their sockets. The nose 

 also appears drawn up; and the spasms are, 

 everywhere, attended with most violent pain. 

 The utmost violence of spasm is, however, not 

 constant; but, after subsisting a minute or 

 two, the muscles admit of some remission of 



their contraction, although of no such relaxn. 

 tion as can allow tho action of their antago- 

 nists. Tho remission of contraction gives also 

 some remission of pain ; but neither is of ion-' 

 duration. Tho attacks of the disease are sel- 

 dom attended with any fever. Wiien tho 

 spasms are general and violent, tho pulse is 

 contracted, hurried, and irregular; and tho 

 respiration is allected in like manner. Tho 

 heat of the body is commonly not increased. 

 The extremities are generally cold, with a cold 

 sweat over the whole of the body. Blood is 

 frequently drawn in this disease ; but it never 

 exhibits any inflammatory crust ; and all ac- 

 counts seem to agree, that the blood drawn is 

 of a looser texture than ordinary, and that it 

 does not coagulate in the usual manner. It is 

 no less extraordinary, that in this disease, tho 

 natural functions are not either immediately 

 or considerably affected ; and it is usual for the 

 appetite of hunger to remain through its whole 

 course. 



Tliis disease frequently follows docking and 

 nicking ; it has also been known to occur after 

 castration. 



To cure tetanus is very difHcult. So 

 many remedies have been tried, and so many 

 failures arisen, that there can be no certain 

 remedy pointed out for the removal of so dis- 

 tressing an affection. The cold bath had, i'oi' 

 a long time, its advocates ; but without any real 

 good. If one horse got well under such treat- 

 ment, it was applied to all, but not with genera.' 

 success ; consequently, it fell into disuse. 

 Bleeding, as a relaxant to the spasmodic action 

 of the muscles, has also shared the same fate. 

 Blistering the whole course of the spine has 

 met with no better success. Even the old far- 

 rier's remedy, of docking the tail about an 

 inch, does not seem to carry a specijic with it. 

 Unctions, balsamic, and spirituous embroca- 

 tions, which many practitioners have recom- 

 mended, are not only useless remedies, but 

 even hurtful. If the case arise from a wound, 

 a local inflammation ought to be excited in the 

 wounded part itself, and the inflammation 

 roused as high as may be consistent with the 

 resolution afterwards. We certainly know 

 that nothing promotes a general phlogistic 

 diathesis through the system more than a 

 wound, attended with a high degree of inflam- 

 mation ; but this is not alwavs to be obtained, 



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