TETANUS, OR LOCKED JAW. 
If) 
tions of the shoulders become immovably fixed. After this, 
there is no hope of the mouth being opened again, and the 
horse, if not killed, must die of starvation. In a short time 
nearly the whole muscles of the body are spasmodically 
affected. 
Causes.- —This disease proceeds from a portion of the 
nerves being injured, in consequence of a wound having 
been sustained by one of the ligaments or the tendons. It 
sometimes comes on instantaneously, after the infliction of 
a wound, or sometimes a considerable time afterwards. Nick¬ 
ing and docking have frequently caused this affection of the 
nervous system. It is also often caused by the animal being 
allowed to cool suddenly when very warm. Worms have 
also been known to be the remote or proximate cause of 
tetanus. The bots have also produced it. The usual way 
in which this disease comes on seldom leads to a suspicion 
of what it is, as few who have not previously watched its 
progress can trace its character. Hence, it has assumed its 
climax before persons are aware of it. In this condition, 
therefore, it can seldom be cured, from the difficulty of 
administering medicines. 
Remedies. —Bleeding has been found to be efficacious in 
some cases. From eighteen to twenty pounds of blood may 
be taken from the jugular veins on both sides of the neck. 
If the cause of the disease has been from docking, the opera¬ 
tion should be repeated higher up ; and if from nicking, by 
making a deeper incision, by these means the spasms have 
been in many instances removed. Another mode is by counter 
irritation. Medicine taken in water should be next resorted 
to. The powdered croton is the most effectual, when the animal 
is capable of taking it in a drink. Half a drachm may be 
given at first, and afterwards from eight to ten grains at 
intervals of six hours, until it acts as a purgative. To faci- 
