31 
horse suddenly turned, there isa characteristic profusion of the “haw” or 
“membrana nictitans,” over the eyes, which are withdrawn into the orbits, 
thus causing the animal to show the white part of the eye at each convulsive 
retraction. -As the disease advances, the stiffness becomes more marked, 
especially in the muscles of mastication andin those of the upper part of the 
neck. Theaffection soon spreads to the muscles of the body, back, and hind 
‘quarters. At length the tetanic condition becomes established, and is very 
.apparent, even to a superficial observer. The limbs are extended and kept 
-apart, the jaws are immovably fixed, the tail is elevated,and the animal moves in 
-a peculiar stiff straddling way, with great difficulty and pain. The pulse is 
-generally not much affected in the first instance, but in a day or twoit becomes 
-quickened. In severe cases it may be very rapid in the early stages. 
:Sometimes, also, the temperature rises very high, the bowels are constipated, 
.and during the course of the disease there are periods of calm alternating 
-with violent paroxysms. These latter are easily induced by any sudden 
disturbance of the animal, such as by loud noises, or by sudden flashes of 
light into the darkened box. Quietude tends to subdue the patient in a 
corresponding degree. During the continuance of the spasms, the breathing 
becomes quickened and difficult; the surface of the body is bedewed with 
‘perspiration; the nostrils are dilated, and the nose protruded. 
The duration of cases of tetanus varies markedly. Some of the more 
-severe cases run their entire course in less than 48 hours. In other instances 
the animal may live two or three weeks, and then succumb at the end of that 
‘time. As a rule tetanus runs a more rapid course in thoroughbreds than in 
animals of coarser breed, and appears to be of a more active type in 
.excitable horses than in animals less sensitive. When the animal progresses 
-favourably, the tetanic condition gradually and slowly declines, lasting from 
three to five weeks. 
There is a notion, unfortunately, in some parts of the country, that 
‘horses afflicted with lock-jaw invariably die ; and the owners, in some 
instances, refuse to have the animals treated in consequence. This is, 
however, a grievous error, for, excepting in those instances where tetanus is 
-so acute at the outset that a fatal result is certain, a favourable termination 
is by no means uncommon under judicious care and treatment. Indeed, in 
all cases where the symptoms come on slowly, and the animal is able to take 
nutriment, and lives to the eighth or ninth day, recovery is fairly common. 
The animal should be placed ina large, well-ventilated, well-bedded, 
loose box, which should be kept dark. S¢réct guietude should in alt cases be 
enjoined. It ts of the utmost importance in the treatment of this affection. 
The wound, if there be any, should be carefully examined, and all irritating 
‘matter washed away. In cases following docking it is considered by 
eminent authorities to be advisable to repeat the operation, and where this 
has been done, in a large number of instances statistics show a large 
percentage of recoveries. In almost all instances slinging is necessary in the 
early stages of the disease. 
ane the many drugs which have been advocated for the cure of 
ce) 
