INFECTIOUS DISEASES 



343 



ises along with the proper disposal of the carcasses to insure destruc- 

 tion of all available virus. 



Because of the extent of the 1914 outbreak in the United States, 

 it is possible that new centers of the disease may make its appear- 

 ance at almost any time and veterinarians should familiarize them- 

 selves with this disease. 



TETANUS (lock JAW) 



Tetanus is a specific infective 

 disease caused by the B. tetani 

 and characterized by spasms of 

 muscular tissue. 



Tetanus is not a common dis- 

 ease in swine. It has been ob- 

 served in suckling pigs and in 

 mature swine but these animals 

 are not as susceptible to the dis- 

 ease as horses. 



Etiology. — Tetanus is a tox- 

 emia and the B. tetani produces 

 the toxin. The B. tetani usually 

 gains entrance through abrasions 

 or puncture wounds and this 

 disease may be a sequel of cas- 

 tration or parturition. 



Symptoms.- — The symptoms manifested consist of stilty gait, opis- 

 thotonos, retracted eye and as the disease progresses there will be 

 spasms of the masseter muscle Resulting in socalled "lock jaw." The 

 course of the disease is variable. In some cases the affected animals 

 recover and in others death ensues in from two to four days. 



Lesions. — There are no gross lesions that are characteristic of tet- 

 anus. Operative or accidental wounds are usually present in the 

 carcass of a hog dead of tetanus. 



Treatment. — Prevention of infection is far better than treatment 

 of cases of tetaniis in swine. The tetanus bacillus is prevalent in the 

 soil, especially of barn yards and therefore operative wounds should 

 be properly protected. Some practitioners have reported favorable 

 results from the use of from 2000 unit to 5000 unit doses of tetanus 

 antitoxin, repeated every 12 hours until there is relaxation of the 

 muscles. Perhaps lobeline sulphate hypodermically is worthy of a 

 trial in this disease. 



Fig. 101 — Bacillus tetani — with spores 

 in various stages of development. 



