96 Diseases of the Horse, 



TETAiniS OB LOCKJAW. 



Definition. — A long continued, painful spasm of the mus- 

 cles, which contract figidlj, often keeping the jaws firmly 

 closed or locked. 



Causes. — The most frequent cause is a wound in the legs 

 or feet, often in itself of a trivial character, such as the pene- 

 tration of a small nail, castration or docking. Occasionally 

 the disease arises without known cause, and in rare instances 

 becomes epidemic, attacking a great many horses in a district. 

 Some believe it is more frequent in cold than in hot weather; 

 but in Scotland Prof Williams found that it is more com- 

 mon in summer. It is often seen in the horse, but very 

 rarely in cattle. 



Symptoms. — In the earliest stages there will be a stiffness 

 of the muscles near the seat of the injury ; the limb will be 

 moved with difficulty. This stiffiiess increases and extends 

 in two or three days over the body. The animal champs 

 his jaws and grinds his teeth. Spittle flows from his mouth, 

 and froth shows on his lips. The breathing grows more 

 rapid, the pulse quickens, and the nostrils are dilated; 

 but the special and unfailing signs of the disease are the 

 protrusion of the haw, or winking membrane of the eye, 

 and the closing of the jaws by the spasms of the muscles 

 around it. 



The bowels and bladder cease acting, the belly is stiff, and 

 anv attempt at swallowing brings on a dry hard cough. 



Treatment. — Of the many plans and medicines recom- 

 mended in lockjaw, most are of no sort of use. It may be 

 premised by saymg, that in every case where all the symp- 

 toms are firmly established before the fourth day of the 

 attack, death may be expected and treatment is useless after 

 that time. But where the symptoms are kss complete, more 



