TETANUS. 



377 



the eye continually ; the temperature of the body will be natural. 

 Should the patient be able to eat, food will be sought with even 

 more than ordinary avidity. For a few days at first the bowels 

 will be torpid, and the urine high-coloured ; but as the system 

 becomes accustomed to the shock undergone, unless prevented 

 from the drugging so commonly pursued in this malady, the 

 functions of the digestive and urinary organs will resume, to a 

 considerable extent, their wonted state. The disease being a 

 remittent one, the spasm and general excitement of the system 

 becomes increased, and afterwards declines. The patient per- 

 spires freely, the muscular system becomes more rigid, and the 

 respirations are also increased. This remittent character of 

 Tetanus is of constant occurrence. An increase of the general 

 spasm may come on once every twelve or twenty-four hours, 

 for many days in succession, and continue for a long time, with 

 a similar degree of force ; then slowly abate both in intensity 

 and in regularity, until it disappears and leaves the patient 

 convalescent ; or the third stage may supervene, and destroy 

 the animal. 



FttUNTAm 



Fig. 23. 

 Tetanic Horse, after Youatt. 



