SECT. VIL PHYSIOLOGY. 61 
Tetanus caused by injuries of this sort, is called 
traumatic tetanus; when confined to the muscles 
of the lower jaw, trismus. 
cexxxix. The vital force is known to be 
diminished in tetanic spasms, by the lowness of 
the animal temperature, and by the paralysis of 
the pharyngeal muscles, which occurs towards its 
termination. Tetanie spasms are symptomatic 
in the cholera of India, and sometimes even in 
‘hemiplegia ; in the latter of these diseases, they are 
always caused by an afflux of blood to the head. 
In health, the muscles are pliable, and easily yield 
to any moving power applied to them; but even 
‘in the intervals of tetanic spasm, they resist exter- 
nal force, and every attempt at motion (whether 
voluntary or not). is apt to throw them into in- 
onsen contraction... 
cxt, The contractile force of the muscles is 
vitdlgiailely increased in tetanic spasm; in the 
cold stage of Indian cholera, the patient some- 
times. takes hold of pieces of furniture, and 
tears them asunder with more than Herculean 
strength. 
' ex. At first sight it appears inconsistent to 
say, that the causes which excite spasm, and 
double or treble the contractile power of the 
muscles; should. operate by reducing the vital 
force; but this difficulty is explained away, by 
