376 TETANUS. 



disease continue for any length of time, the animal will be 

 observed to manifest a peculiarity of gait ; presenting, in fact, 

 a degree of stiffness and disinclination to move altogether 

 uncommon to behold. One of the earliest symptoms, and 

 perhaps one more clearly indicating what is about to supervene 

 than any other, is the projection of the membrana nictitans 

 over the front of the eye. A degree of stiffness in the gait 

 may arise from other causes — such as recent exposure of the 

 animal to cold and wet, or from severe labour. By lifting up 

 the head of the patient, however, and observing if the haw, as 

 it is commonly called, suddenly projects over the front of the 

 eye, accompanied with a reluctance and a starting back on the 

 part of the patient to submit to the operation, we may at once 

 decide that the case is one of Tetanus. The jaws may not be 

 closed, nor the animal present anything peculiar to the ordinary 

 observer; but the projection of the haw, together with the 

 general hardness of the muscleji of the body are symptoms 

 sufficiently indicative of the malady. 



Second Sta&b. — As the disease advances, or passes into 

 the second stage, the general stiffness becomes more confirmed. 

 The head, neck, body, and limbs lose their suppleness. The 

 patient, when made to turn round, does so as stiffly as a beam 

 of wood. The general appearance of the animal at this time is 

 well represented in Eig. 23. 



The muscles situate at the junction of the head and neck 

 present a state of tightness peculiar to the disease ; the ears 

 are cocked , and firm, as though attentive to sound ; the hind 

 limbs are placed wide apart ; the patient straddles and walks 

 exceedingly slow ; the tail is constantly elevated, and possesses 

 a peculiar quivering motion ; the muscles of the belly are 

 cramped ; the pulse is seldom disturbed, but the respirations 

 are quicker than ordinary ; the haw projects more or less over 



