Symptoms. 451 



tonus) ; or in case of excess musculature on one side a lateral 

 curvature occurs (pleurosthotonus). 



The muscular spasm of the extremities results in a straddled, 

 sawbuck-like position, the hind feet being but very slightly 

 -arched at the hocks. Bending in these or other joints is im- 

 possible or can be accomplished only by applying considerable 

 force ; hence it is also impossible to lift the feet from the ground, 

 and when this is done the disturbance of equilibrium is apt 

 to cause falling. The patients avoid all possible movements; 

 when forced they manage to move with great difficulty, lifting 

 the feet but slightly from the ground. 'Turning is especially 

 -difficult, as the entire body acts like a stiff object; just as 

 difficult, and frequently impossible, is the motion of backing. 



The musculature is tense, almost board-like to palpation; 

 some muscles project, appear of sharp contour and occasionally 

 show fibrillary tremors. In the course of the disease the spas- 

 modic contraction of the muscles remains for some -time un- 

 changed in the same condition, for hours and even days; in 

 some cases again certain variations occur. In such cases the 

 muscles are at times- less tense, movements easier and the 

 generah condition appears to be temporarily improved; this 

 apparent improvement is soon followed by renewed severe 

 spasmodic attacks which are easily originated by external irri- 

 tation. 



Reflex irritability is increased from the beginning, and the 

 effect of light, noise and touch or movement increases the spasm, 

 sometimes to such a degree that the animals bend the head 

 unusually far back or even fall to the ground, trembling violently 

 while on the ground; or sudden contraction of the dorsal 

 muscles may cause fracture oi one or more vertebrae (Ziindel). 

 Such paroxysms are usually acconipanied by .profuse sweat- 

 ing, which is also observed in other cases of severe infection 

 with the disease. 



Consciousness is retained to the end; the expression of- 

 the eye indicates fear, while the facial expression appears 

 of a characteristic rigidity on account of the constant contrac- 

 tion of the musculature. Even slight excitement will cause the 

 animals to shrink and to become restless. 



The increased irritation of the nerves leading to the genital 

 apparatus causes a moderate but constant erection of the penis 

 in males. 



The spasm of all the voluntary muscies of the body natu- 

 rally exerts a disturbing influence on the other functions and 

 thus irregularities in the respiratory and circulatory systems 

 as well as in digestion are observed. In addition changes occur 

 in the internal organs, which markedly aggravate the condition 

 of the patient aid incidentally are the direct cause of death. 



Respiration is superficial and increased on account of the 

 spasm of the abdominal and intercostal muscles, so that the 

 number of respirations may be ten times that of normal The 



