210 THE FARMERS VETERINARIAN 



is severe or acute in form, and less violent or sub- 

 acute if the symptoms are manifested atter the 

 second w^eek. The above statement does not hold 

 true in all cases, but it may be considered true in 

 a general way. 



Of the domestic animals the horse is the most 

 commonly affected. The symptoms shown by this 

 animal are very characteristic. Any person that 

 has had the opportunity to see and examine a horse 

 suffering from tetanus should have no trouble in 

 recognizing the disease in other animals. 



The Characteristic Symptom is the spasmodic 

 contraction of the muscles. This may vary in the 

 different individuals, depending on the susceptibil- 

 ity of the animal and the quantity of poisonous 

 toxin present in the system. There is at first a 

 slight stiffness of the muscles of the back, neck, 

 head, and limbs, and the animal is more nervous 

 than common. A noise in the stable or a slap with 

 the hand may increase the stiffness and contractions 

 temporarily. The contracted condition of the 

 muscles of the eye, are, perhaps, the most notice- 

 able early in the disease. These muscles pull the 

 eyeball backwards, the fatty cushion is pressed on 

 and the third eyelid protrudes, covering at times 

 from one-third to two-thirds of the front part of 

 the eye. In the severe form of the disease the 

 muscles feel hard, especially those of the back and 

 neck, and the animal moves with difficulty. In 

 addition to the muscular symptoms, the respiration 

 and pulse beats are quickened and the body tem- 

 perature higher than normal. The evidence of suf- 

 fering from the contracted condition of the muscles 

 is very marked, and, unless supported in some ^^^ay, 

 the animal may fall to the floor. If the symptoms 

 develop a few days after infection, the animal 



