DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. 251 



dropping on some part of the body is the cause. In still others 

 it appears without any obvious reason, though probably from 

 internal lesions. It is remarkable that it rarely occurs until 

 wounds are well advanced in healing. In lambs it has been 

 observed in connection with overfeeding of the ewes on trefoil, 

 grain, etc., as well as from exposure. 



Symptoms. — General stiffness; hardness of the affected 

 muscles ; protrusion of the haw, from the inner angle of the 

 eye, over the ball, becoming more marked if the animal is 

 excited, as by jerking up the head ; in the worst cases the head 

 is elevated and carried stiffly, the tail raised and trembling ; the 

 legs directed slightly outward like four immovable posts, and 

 in walking are lifted almost without bending ; the animal 

 cannot lie down, or if he gets down, rouses the spasms fatally 

 in his struggles to rise ; the bowels are always torpid ; the 

 breathing is excited, and in bad cases stertorous; and though 

 the spasms never give way they occur in paroxysms, which are 

 easily roused by movement, the presence of strangers, loud 

 talking, banging of doors, rustling of straw, or any other noise 

 or commotion. It usually proves fatal by the cramps of the 

 muscles of the throat (larynx) and chest. 



Treatment. — Secure perfect quiet in a dark box, safely locked 

 from curious observers ; place slings beneath the patient so that 

 he can stand clear of them or rest in them at will ; remove 

 straw or other source of excitement ; feed very soft bran mashes 

 or thick gruels, from such a level as does not require any drop- 

 ping of the head to reach them ; give a strong dose of purgative 

 medicine (horse, aloes ; sheep, ox, sulphate of soda or mag- 

 nesia ; swine, dog, castor oil), following this up by antispas- 

 modics thrice daily (belladonna, prussic acid, chloral-hydrate, 

 lobelia, tobacco, etc.), or these may be given by injection, or 

 chloroform, ether, or nitrite of amyle by inhalation. If it does 

 not excite the animal too much, give a steam bath, or a thorough 

 perspiration with hot rugs, covered with dry ones. The bowels 



