466 PRINCIPLES OF VETERINARY SURGERY 



argument against the last operation. The records of similar (supposed) 

 short periods of incubation were also advanced as against amputation. While 

 the merits of this case were never decided, it is very evident that the first 

 operation did the mischief. The intensity (subacute) pointed to a much 

 longer period of incubation than three days. Other cases of this character 

 are too numerous to mention. It is indeed very frequent that veterinarians 

 must investigate two wounds, inflicted at different times, to determine which 

 one is tetanogenic. When the character of the wound is not convincing, the 

 period of incubation, compared with the intensity of the tetanic contractions, 

 will alvsrays assist in correctly accusing the guilty trauma. 



The great frequency of these coincidences would indicate that the tetanus 

 cases reported as occurring one or two hours after the wound has been in- 

 flicted, and Hoffman's cases of six hours, were all caused by wounds pre- 

 viously sustained. The discovery of tetanus bacilli in the last wound would 

 be no proof that it is tetanogenic, as these microorganisms are indeed very 

 liable to find their way into many wounds that prove innocuous, and besides 

 the mere discovery of virulent bacilli in a wound is by no means a proof that 

 they have exerted their pathogenicity on the organ-ism.- — L. A. M. 



The first appearance of tetanus may be preceded by some 

 premonitory symptoms: uneasiness; difficulty in walking,, 

 masticating and swallowing; rigidity, and phenomena that 

 rarely attract attention. Most frequently it manifests itself 

 in the very beginning by pronounced contractions. The neck 

 becomes stifif, and movements of the lower jaw and of the 

 head are painful. The stiffness usually begins at the head, 

 but may also commence at the posterior extremities or 

 where the virus has entered the body. At the start there is. 

 little or no fever, ^^'hatever may be the starting point of 

 the contractions, they become accentuated and generalized 

 in from two to ten days, at which time all of the muscles are 

 tense, the tetanus is general, and spasmodic attacks become 

 manifest. 



The general aspect of the patient is now more charac- 

 teristic. The attitude is quite peculiar. The head is stretched 

 forward from the neck, which is forcibly elevated. The ears 

 are erect, the vertebral column bent downward, the tail is 

 either horizontal or elevated, and the limbs are stifif and 

 spread apart. The limbs diverge and scarcely bend in walk- 

 ing, which is impossible or very difficult. The movements 

 are made in a single stride. The animal remains motionless 



