TETANUS. 
505 
pulse becomes somewhat quicker, and unless relieved death 
soon occurs. 
TreatmenL —A powerful diffusible stimulant should be given 
first, and followed by a purgative in combination with nux vom¬ 
ica, the latter being especially beneficial in cases where symptoms 
of nervous depression are manifested. 
TETANUS. 
By W. H. Lawes, Jr., D.V.S., Red Bank, N. J. 
A Paper read before the Veterinary Medical Association of New Jersey, Oct. 8, 1896. 
The subject of this paper is a common but too often fatal 
disease among our equine species. 
Tetanus is not a blood disease, as was once sujDposed 5 nei¬ 
ther is it a functional disorder of the nervous system. It is 
caused by an anaerobic bristle-shaped microbe (the bacillus of 
Nicholaier), which is found in many soils, barn-yard manure, 
and partly-masticated food. It is more prevalent in hot cli¬ 
mates than cold, but is seen in most all climates. It is inocu- 
lable from animal to animal, when brought into contact, espe¬ 
cially if a part be injured. This microbe once entered into the 
system, produces a toxine which acts like strychnine on the 
spinal cord, followed by the tonic muscular spasms. 
The period of incubation is sometimes as short as twenty- 
four hours, but generally from eight to fourteen days. 
Horses and sheep are most susceptible, cattle and swine less 
so, and dogs are resistant. Predisposing causes are wounds of 
any kind, but especially those of the feet, and often following 
the operations of castration and docking the tail. 
On July 22d I was called to see a bay horse used for carting 
purposes, supposed to ( be suffering from some affection of the 
eyes, which the owner had been treating for two days with 
warm water, but did not improve with the treatment. I had 
the horse led out, made my examination, and found that he was 
suffering from tetanus, which was a great surprise to the owner. 
Upon inquiry into the history of the case, about three weeks 
