102 PRACTICE OP EQUINE MEDICINE. 



(hence it is called lock-jaw). In mild cases this symptom is not 

 pronounced. 



In the severe form there is a discharge of saliva ; the voluntary 

 muscles are hard to the feel, especially those of the neck. 



The pulse, in mild eases, is not much altered, but in severe 

 cases there is an increase in the frequency. 



The temperature is peculiar; this is a non- febrile disease, but 

 it often has a high temperature — 105° or 106° P., and just before 

 death it runs up to 100° or 112° F., or in some eases just after 

 death. 



How is the diagnosis made? 



There ought not to be any trouble in making a diagnosis. 

 When you have seen one of these cases, you have seen all. 



The position of the body, the tail, and the manner of locomo- 

 tion, and the membrana nictitans being thrown over the eye on the 

 slightest movement. 



In the human subject there are certain positions of the patient. 



The ordinary position in man is where he rests on his occiput 

 and heels, the back being curved. This position is known as opis- 

 thotonos. 



The entire trunk and limbs may be perfectly rigid — orthotonos. 

 Where the body is bent to one side it is called pleurosthotonos. When 

 the back is arched and the body bent forward — emprosthotonos. 



What is the duration and the prognosis? 



This disease may kill quickly, in several hours or four or five 

 days, or in other cases it may run three or four weeks, and you 

 think they ought to get well, when they become exhausted, fall 

 down, and, by some excitement, death results. 



The appearance of the animal, anxious expression, eyes drawn 

 in their sockets, nostrils dilated, furrowing of the skin of the face, 

 saliva from the mouth, inability to open the jaw, body covered 

 with perspiration. 



A little noise, etc., throws them into spasms, and, if down, as 

 a mle, they never rise again, and it is almost impossible to help 

 them up. 



Death is apt to occur during the paroxysm from heart-failure 

 or asphyxia, or it may be due to exhaustion. 



The average duration is from four days to six weeks. 



