DISEASES OF HORSES. 203 



and letting the horse bleed to the amount of ten or even twelve 

 quarts; repeating the same until the delirium ceases. After the 

 first bleeding, back rake, throw up a laxative clyster, (Vet 

 Pharm. 143.) blister the head, promote a current of free air in the 

 stable, and treat altogether as directed under other febrile in- 

 fections. 



11. Locked jaw, stag-evil, or tetanus, arises from cold, excessive 

 fatigue, sometimes perhaps from worms, but more often from a 

 wound of some part, as pricks in shoeing, &c. Such wound is 

 seldom in a recent state ; but after two or three weeks continuance, 

 sometimes after it has healed even : it follows docking, gelding 

 and nicking frequently; and is preceded by a flabby unhealthy 

 state of the wound. It appears as an affection of the brain, which 

 transmits its morbid irritation, particularly to the nerves attached 

 to muscles, by which they become cramped, or may be considered 

 as in a high state of action, giving the horse a peculiar look of 

 energy, as though immediately stopped from full speed ; with his 

 nostrils extended, his head raised, and his nose carried forward ; 

 his legs straddle wide, and his tail is cocked and quivers, as after 

 violent exercise. The jaws will now be found, if not closed, yet 

 nearly so, when he is called jaw set. 



12. The treatment is not often successful, but, however, it is 

 sufficiently frequent that it is so, to deserve the utmost attention. 

 Blaine informs us that enormous bleedings have succeeded ; but 

 he places his principal dependence on the application of cold by 

 means of ice, or of constant dashing with cold water, with an active 

 blister applied the whole length of the spine. Balls of camphor 

 and opium, to the amount of two drachms each, may be given 

 every three hours. If any room remain in the mouth, the ball 

 may be passed up by means of a stick, or it may be given as a drink 

 by means of a syringe, and even when the mouth is entirely 

 closed, he informs us we may give a drink by the nostrils. Moor- 

 croft used cold also. Fearon, on the contrary, has experienced 

 benefit from a bath, heated to ninety degrees, and kept at that 

 temperature for three hours. White recommends camphor and 

 opium ; Wilkinson of Newcastle, has been very successful by 

 keeping up heat and stimulus over the skin in general, by means 

 of newly stripped sheep skins put on hot. Perhaps if the body 

 were previously rubbed with oil of turpentine one part, and common 

 oil two parts, it might assist Wilkinson's plan. When locked 

 aw arises from nicking, it might be prudent for a veterinary 



