TETANUS. 



377 



the eye continually ; the temperature of the body will be 

 natural. Should the patient be able to eat, food will be sought 

 with even more than ordinary avidity. Por a few days at first 

 the bowels will be torpid, and the urine high-coloured ; but as 

 the system becomes accustomed to the shock undergone, unless 

 prevented from the drugging so commonly pursued in this 

 malady, the functions of the digestive and urinary organs will 

 resume, to a considerable extent, their wonted state. The 

 disease being a remittent one, the spasm and general excitement 

 of the system becomes increased, and afterwards declines. The 

 patient perspires freely, the muscular system becomes more 

 rigid, and the respirations are also increased. This remittent 

 character of Tetanus is of constant occurrence. An increase of 

 the general spasm may come on once every twelve or twenty- 

 four hours, for many days in succession, and continue for a 

 long time, with a similar degree of force ; then slowly abate 

 both in intensity and in regularity, until it disappears and 

 leaves the patient convalescent ; or the third stage may super- 

 vene, and destroy the animal. 



Fig. 23. — Tetanic Horse, after Youatt. 



