TETANUS. 379 



Pricks iu the foot at the time of shoeing, or from the shoe 

 being forced awry, and the stumps entering the sole ; punctures 

 near to the ischium ; docking too close to the rump (this 

 operation, independently of going too close to the rump, is very 

 likely to induce Tetanus, if the animal operated upon be old) ; 

 broken knees ; kicks from another horse, inflicted upon parts 

 contiguous to the joints, particularly the hock joints ; castration, 

 particularly if the animal be exposed to cold and wet afterwards ; 

 saddle-galls and injuries of almost every grade of triviality are 

 sufficient, at times, to cause the worst forms of Tetanus. 



The causes of the idiopathic forms of Tetanus, are sudden 

 exposure and long continuance of the animal to cold and wet. 

 The two acting in association will speedily produce the disease, 

 especially in delicate, well-bred animals. Irritation, arising 

 from the presence of worms in the intestinal canal, is another 

 (though not a frequent) cause of Tetanus ; and it is stated to 

 have arisen in consequence of exposure of the animal to the 

 influence of deleterious gases. 



Teeatment. — Comfort to the animal is of the very highest 

 importance in this disease. Medicine, unaided by warmth and 

 quietness, will efi'ect little or nothing. 



Upon the discovery of the disease, the animal should be 

 placed at once in a comfortable box, entirely away from every 

 source of annoyance. Eepose and a low degree of light are 

 prime essentials to recovery. The straw in the box should be 

 plentiful, and chopped in the way recommended at page 118 ; 

 and as the disease will cause the animal to perspire abundantly, 

 plenty of dry clothing should be at hand to use in place of that 

 it may be necessary to remove. The quantity and kind of 

 clothing will of course depend upon the season and the kind of 

 weather which may prevail at the time. See page 117 to 119. 



