219 



an ounce of the tincture of belladonna twice a day for .scxt'iiil days. 

 The abandoned stable should be thoroughly cleansed from all waste 

 matters, receive a coat of whitewash containing 4 ounces of carbolic 

 acid to the gallon, and should have time to drj^ thoroughly before the 

 horses are replaced. A complete change of food is of the very great- 

 est importance, on account of the belief lliat llie cause resides in 

 diseased grain, hay, and grass. 



TETANUS — LOCK-JAW. 



Tills disease is characterized by si)asms affecting the muscles of the 

 face, neck, body, and limbs, of all the muscles supplied by the cerebro- 

 spinal nerves. The spasms or muscular contractions are rigid and 

 persistent, yet mixed with occasional more intense contractions of 

 convulsive violence. 



Causes. — The causes are classified under two heads, traumatic Avhere 

 it is the result of injury, and kliopatliic where it is due to other 

 causes than injuries, such as cold and damp, excessive fright, nervous 

 exhaustion from overwork, chronic irritation caused by worms in the 

 intestines, etc. In the majority of instances the cause of tetanus can 

 be traced to wounds, especially pricks or wounds of the feet or of 

 tendinous structures. It sometimes follows castration, docking, the 

 introduction of setons, inclusion of a nerve in a ligature, etc. It may 

 come on a long time after the wound is healed, three or four months. 

 In some countries where tetanus appears to be enzootic the presump- 

 tion is that it is due to a specific germ. Horses with a nervous, excit- 

 able disposition are more jiredisposed than those of a more sluggish 

 nature. Stallions are more subject to develop tetanus as tlie result 

 of wounds than geldings, and geldings more than mares. 



Sijnrptoins. — The attacks may be acute or subacute. In an acute 

 attack the animal usually dies within four daj's. The first symptoms 

 which attract the attention of the owner is difficulty in chcAving and 

 swallowing, an extension of the head and i^rotrusion over the inner 

 part of the ej^e of the membrana nictitans or haw. An examination 

 of the mouth will reveal an inability to open the jaws to their full 

 extent, and the endeavor to do so w ill produce great nervous excita- 

 bility and increased sjDasm of tlie muscles of the jaw and neck. The 

 muscles of the neck and along the spine become rigid and the legs 

 are moved in a stitf manner. The slightest noise or disturbance 

 throws the animal into inci-eased spasm of all the affected muscles. 

 Tlie tail is usually elevated and held immovable; the bowels become 

 constipated early in tlie attack. The temperature and pulse are not 

 much changed. These sjniiptoms in the acute type l)ec()me rapidly 

 aggravated until all the muscles are rigid — in a stale of tonic si^asm — 

 with a continuous tremor running through them ; a cold jDcrspiration 

 breaks out on the body; the breathing l)ecomes painful from the 



