DISEASES OF THE HOG. jgj 



TETANUS. 



The exciting causes of tetanus are wounds and 

 injuries. A great deal has been written as to the 

 character of the wound, but it is generally ad- 

 mitted that it may take place as a result of any 

 kind of wound, but the punctured wounds, espe- 

 cially if they are in the feet, are more likely to pro- 

 duce it than any other kind. The interval between 

 the reception of the wound and the occurrence of 

 tetanus is very uncertain. According to the state- 

 ment of some writers it has taken in a few minutes 

 after the operation or wound, but it most frequent- 

 ly takes place as the wound begins to or has almost 

 healed. Idiopathic tetanus is supposed to be 

 caused by something which is likely to disturb the 

 motor nerve system, such as exposure to cold, in- 

 digestible substances in the stomach, worms in the 

 intestines and irritation of the urine system. It 

 has made its appearance and the cause could not 

 be determined. It is ascribed to a bacillus tetani 

 which is found in the soil getting into the wound 

 and there developing in the nerve tissue. The fact 

 that tetanus in some cases comes on immediately 

 after a surgical operatioli would throw doubt on 

 this statement. I intend making a number of ex- 

 periments on this bacillus tetani this fall and shall 

 publish the results. 



Symptoms: The first thing noticed in animals 

 affected with this disease will be a protruding of 

 the membrana nictitans (a membrane of the eye 

 peculiar to animals) when the head is turned to one 

 side. There will be stiffness of the muscles near 



