166 The Horse Farrier. 



of the eye, and the cornea slightly dim. This is occasion- 

 ally connected with some degree of catarrh or cold ; but 

 it is as often unaccompanied by this, and depends on ex- 

 ternal irritation, as a blow, or the presence of a bit of 

 hay-seed or oat-husk within the lid, towards the outer 

 corner where the hay cannot reach it ; therefore the lids 

 should always be carefully examined as to this possible 

 source of the complaint. 



Treatment. — Cooling applications to the eye, as the 

 eye lotion or tincture of opium, with gentle physic, will 

 usually abate the evil ; or the inflammation will subside 

 without medical treatment. A cool shed, rather darken- 

 ed, will be the most desirable place ; a very light diet of 

 scalded shorts, or gruel, will be all the patient needs, for 

 inflammation. 



locked jawed or tetanus. 



Locked jaw or tetanus is one of the most dreadful 

 and fatal diseases to which the horse is subject. It is 

 called locked jaw, because the muscles of the jaw are 

 earliest affected, and the mouth is obstinately and im- 

 movably closed. It is a constant spasm of all the volun- 

 tary muscles, and particularly of the neck, the spine, and 

 the head. It is generally slow and treacherous in its at- 

 tack. The horse, for a day or two, does not appear to 

 be quite well ; he does not feed as usual ; he partly chews 

 his food, and drops it; and he gulps his water. The 

 owner at length finds that the motion of the jaws is con- 

 siderably limited, and some saliva is driveling from the 

 mouth. If he tries, he can only open the mouth a very 

 little way, or the jaws are perfectly and rigidly closed. 



Tetanus most usually occurs from injuries to some 

 nervous fibre of the foot — sometimes lrom a prick in shoe- 

 ing. It is also connected with docking, nicking and cas 

 tration, over exertion, and sudden exposure. 



Symptoms. — A protrusion of the muzzle, and stiffness 

 of the neck ; the muscles singularly prominent, distinct, 

 Lard, knotty, and unyielding. "There is difficulty in bring- 

 ing the head round, and still greater difficulty in bending 

 it. The eye is drawn deep within the socket. 



