158 THE HORSE 



relationship to the development of the trouble, which 

 may be acute or sub-acute. In nearly every instance 

 acute cases of tetanus are fatal, but about 35 per cent of 

 sub-acute attacks are followed by recovery, which is 

 generally very slow. It is a most unsatisfactory disease 

 to deal with, and unless the owner is prepared to bestow 

 a large amount of professional attendance, it will be 

 better to destroy the animal at the outset. There is a 

 serum both for the prevention and treatment of tetanus, 

 but like certain other sera, as a cure for the disease, has 

 not, in the author's hands, proved of any value, whilst 

 there are no reliable records to support a contrary 

 opinion. The great principle in dealing with this disease 

 is to keep the animal perfectly quiet in a darkened loose 

 box and give it sloppj^ food and water to drink. Its 

 existence is denoted by a general rigid condition of the 

 muscles of the neck, back, loins, and tail, and by inabihty 

 to open the jaws (trismus), but an animal may have 

 tetanus without the jaws being locked, though in the 

 majority of cases this state of affairs does exist ; in fact, 

 it may be the only sign which the owner has noticed. 

 An early indication is afforded by making a feint to touch 

 the horse beneath the jaw, when the animal's head is 

 thrown suddenly up ; when the third eyelid or membrane 

 nictitans is shot across the eye. This is a very significant 

 sign and should always be employed as a test if this 

 trouble is suspected. The tail is elevated and held out in 

 a quivering manner; muscular spasms come on under 

 the slightest excitement ; temperature shghtly elevated 

 and the breathing distressed. Tetanus is a disease with 

 considerable variation in the symptoms, but sufficient 

 has been said to give the reader an elementary notion as 

 to what this malady is like. 



Joint-ill or Arthritis in Foals 



Unfortunately this is rather a common affection in 

 foals and usually makes its appearance within a few days 



