DISP^ASES OF THE BRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM. 



113 



belly is tense and tucked up, and the muscles everywhere stand out pro- 

 minent and rigid. 



The voluntary muscles of the internal structures are similarly affected. 

 The involuntary muscles of the intestines, on the other hand, are torpid, 

 because the nervous force seems to be monopolized in the voluntary mus- 

 cles. Hence arise the obstinate constipation and torpidity of the urinary 

 bladder which usually form so marked a feature in this disease. 



Notwithstanding the intense contraction and rigidity of the muscles, 

 the jiatient is highly sensitive and shrinks from the slightest touch or 

 approach to a touch. He sweats profusely and groans from pain. A 

 very marked symptom of the disease consists in rapid protrusion of the 

 haw over the eye, if the horse is touched under the chin, or if his head 

 is elevated. 



Fig. 70. 

 Protrusion of the haw over the eye on elevation of the nose, characteristic of tetanus. 



Death, unless the symptoms are relieved, generally occurs in from two 

 to twelve days. 



Tetanus, in some cases, by seizing at once or almost at once on some 

 vital organ, such as the heart, may produce death very speedily, with 

 scarcely any outward symptoms except great pain and rapidly increasing 

 prostration. 



Treatment. — The disease lies in that part of the nervous system 



which controls the voluntary muscles; and consists in rigidity, not in in- 

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