238 KENNEL DISEASES. 
ending with the first symptoms of tetanus, varies greatly in length; and while it 
is usually less than five days where the disease is puerperal or attacks the new 
born, in other classes of cases it is generally from five to ten days. 
Usually the first symptom noted is stiffness in the movements of the neck 
or jaws. A few hours later the jaws are, as a rule, firmly fixed and cannot be 
opened by the sufferer, nor without considerable prying. Owing to rigidity of 
the muscles of the neck, the head is set as though in splints, and bent back- 
ward. Gradually the trouble extends and involves the muscles of the. back and 
hind legs, and when they have become rigid the spine is arched backward and 
bent like a bow, while the legs are extended, and only movable with difficulty. 
The muscles of the face share in the general affection. The angles of the 
mouth are drawn backward and downward, and the upper lip is stretched over 
the teeth, producing hideous distortion. 
Rigidity of the muscles is almost persistent, but occasionally it lessens a 
little, while now and then it is for a time intensified in marked degree, and 
the sufferer appears as though in a violent convulsion. 
The temperature of the body may be at first nearly normal, but as the disease 
progresses high fever comes on; the pulse grows rapid and weaker; the body is 
bathed in a profuse cold sweat; and soon thereafter the terrible sufferings are 
ended by death. 
In some cases death results from exhaustion, the nervous system being worn 
out; in others it is caused by heart failure, or by suffocation, respiration being 
too long suspended during a paroxysm. Only in exceedingly rare instances and 
very mild cases does recovery occur; and then one is slow to believe that the 
existing disease was really tetanus. 
The duration of the malady is variable. Life may be prolonged for ten or 
twelve days, but the most of the fatal cases terminate between the second and 
fourth days. 
The symptoms of tetanus resemble somewhat those of strychnia-poisoning, 
yet mistake ought not be easy. Tetanus comes on quite gradually, the stiffness 
or spasms beginning in the neck and jaws; and it is not until several hours 
afterward that the latter are perfectly rigid and the muscles of the back and 
legs are involved by the spasm. Whereas, in strychnia-poisoning the effects are 
manifested suddenly, and the symptoms are at once severe; the muscles of the 
legs are first stiffened, and then the spasm speedily becomes general and violent. 
Finally, in this poisoning, death or recovery usually takes place within a few 
hours. 
The chances of recovery from this disease are so small it would scarcely be 
wise to attempt treatment unless the sufferer was valued very highly; otherwise 
to destroy by means of chloroform would be a merciful act. 
Where an effort is made to cure, perfect quiet should be enforced, and 
inhalations of chloroform and ether, in equal parts, be at once administered, 
