128 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 







Games. Tetanus has been attributed to many different causes by as 

 many different writers, and while some of the theories may appear 

 plausible to one observer, to another they seem ridiculous. To refer to 

 all the conditions that have been ascribed as causes for this affection is 

 a greater task than the writer has desire to attempt. However, a few 

 of them will be mentioned, to convey an idea of the diversity of the 

 opinions held by those who have written on the subject: Hereditary 

 predisposition, bad food, exposure to cold and wet, sudden alterations 

 of temperature, excessive fatigue, overdriving, etc. All authorities 

 agree on one point, however, and that is, that tetanus is most frequently 

 met with in connection with a wound. 



It should be remarked that it is not only large wounds, nor very pain- 

 ful wounds, that are followed by tetanus, as the affection is often asso- 

 ciated with wounds of the most trivial character. The writer has 

 attended cases where the wounds were so small that they were only dis- 

 covered after repeated examinations. One case in particular is worthy 

 of mention. When first examined, trismus was so pronounced that the 

 teeth could not be forced more than a half inch apart. A thorough 

 examination failed to find a wound. The next day another examina- 

 tion was as fruitless. On the third day a small nodule was felt on the 

 skin of the cheek ; the hair was parted, and a little crust or scab' picked 

 off. The hostler then stated, what had escaped his memory until thus 

 reminded, that about a week before, while putting hay in the manger, 

 the point of a prong of the fork caine in contact with that part, but the 

 wound was so slight that it was entirely forgotten. That small sore was 

 treated antiseptically, and the animal made a good recovery. The 

 writer has not the least doubt that the cause was in that small wound. 



In another instance, after a very careful examination, the case was 

 about to be put down among the number of those which are generally 

 called idiopathic, when a few hairs on the base of the neck were 

 observed to be matted together; and on a closer examination of that 

 part a small abrasion was found which was treated antiseptically until 

 it was healed. The animal was discharged sound in two weeks. 



It is a fact (in the experience of the writer) that large or painful 

 wounds are less liable to be followed by tetanus than are the slighter 

 injuries, for the reason that the former usually receive attention, while 

 the latter are neglected. 



A wound in any part of the body may be followed by tetanus. The 

 particular place where a wound is located is of small import so far as 

 the cause is concerned, although it is of the greatest importance when 

 the treatment is considered, as, for instance, a wound that is located 

 internally can not be topically treated. 



Tetanus may ensue within a few days after the infliction of a wound, 

 but the attack usually occurs between one and two weeks after the 

 injury, when, in many cases, the Avound is nearly healed. In instances 

 where healing is retarded, the wound remaining open, neglected, or 



