THE HORSE, ITS DISEASES. 419 



V. Tetanus, or Lockjaw. 



This terrible affliction, which consists of persistent and often acutely 

 painful drawing together (cramps) of the voluntary muscles, causing ex- 

 treme rigidity, drawing together the whole muscular system, and closing 

 or locking the jaws. 



Causes. — Often a wound in the leg or foot, seemingly of the most 

 trivial character, as the prick of a nail. It is also produced by castra- 

 tion nicking and docking; by hard riding or driving, and leaving the 

 animal shivering in the night air. When it proceeds from a wound, it is 

 called trumatic : when from no apparent cause, it is called idiopathic. It 

 rarely occurs from wounds until they are well advanced toward being 

 healed ; though it may display its symptoms immediately upon or a 

 month after the hurt, but generally from the sixth to the fourteenth day. 



How to know it. — In the earliest stages there will be stiffness and rig- 

 idity of the muscles near the injury, and the limb will be moved with 

 difficulty. There will be excitement, the ears will be pointed forward, 

 the head elevated, the legs stiff and stretched out ; the horse will seem 

 excited and yet obstinate to move ; the tail will quiver and the skin and 

 flesh will feel hard like a board. The lower jaw being taken in the 

 hand and the head raised, if the haw projects over the eye, you h»ve a 

 case of lockjaw. See cut. 



THB TEBT FOB TETANDS. 



What to do. — Give the animal a loose or box stall, and in the most 

 quiet place possible, and where it will see no one except the attendant. 

 Place slings beneath him so he can stand clear of them or rest in them at 

 will. Remove all straw, litter or other sources of excitement, and avoid 

 all noise or unusual movement. Keep the stable darkened and without 

 other animals present. If the disease is produced by a wound examine 

 it, and if contracted or containing pus (matter) ^viden it, and cover with 

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