This disease is most frequently met with in entire horses, and attacks especially those that are ardent, in high condition, but little worked; and it is liable to be excited by a chill after being over-heated or over-worked in hot weather. It may also arise from blows or similar injuries on the head.
Symptoms.—In some cases it comes on slowly; the horse is dull and sleepy; rests his head on the manger, or places it against the wall or between his legs, and falls asleep. In this state he will, perhaps, stagger and almost fall to the ground; he, however, wakes up, stares about him, takes a mouthful of hay, chews it slowly, and ere long is again dozing or fast asleep. The eyelids are nearly closed; the eyes and nose red; the pupils dilated; the bowels bound, and pulse slower than in health. This is the congestive stage, and may continue until the animal recovers or dies; but, in general, other symptoms appear to which the name Mad Staggers may be more appropriately applied. In such cases the pulse rises; the breathing is quickened; the nose and eyes are very red; nostrils widened; the eyes have a wild, fierce look; the feet are stamped, as if in passion; he plunges about the stall, rears upward, strikes out with his fore-feet, and falls backward upon the ground, where he lies panting and covered with sweat; his eyes are thrust forward out of their sockets, and rattles are heard in the throat. Towards the end these violent paroxysms are repeated from time to time, and it is very dangerous to approach or go near him. At last, he is so weak and prostrate that he cannot rise, and amidst convulsions, strangling, foaming at the mouth, sweating, and panting for breath, the animal dies.
Treatment.—The treatment will not be difficult, or the result doubtful, during the congestive stage; but in the fully developed or phrentic stage, quite so in both respects. The A.A., is the principal dependence, and a dose of fifteen drops may be given every two or three hours, at first, and as the horse improves, the intervals may be somewhat prolonged. Continue this treatment steadily and without deviation. During the paroxysms, the medicine may be given by means of a small glass syringe, or the Medicator used in a similar manner. After the more intense symptoms have passed over, some doses of J.K., alternately with that of A. A., will be of value, giving one in the morning and the other at night.
Concussion of the brain, inducing symptoms and a condition not essentially varying from the above, requires the same treatment, together with such external applications as the wound may require.
Tetanus, or Lock-Jaw
This disease is more common in the horse than in other domestic animals. It consists of a muscular spasm of the jaw (whence its name), which usually from thence extends to all the muscles of the body. It always occurs in consequence of an injury or wound, such as broken knees, open joints, severe bruises, nicked or docked tail, castration, wounds of the feet, prick of a nail, or even the galling of a crupper, through which opening the tetanus germ enters the body.
The germ of tetanus flourishes without air (anaerobic) and, outside of the body, lives in soil and manure.
Symptoms.—In general it comes on very slowly, but also, in some cases, with great violence. The muscles of the neck and jaw are first affected, so that the horse has great difficulty in swallowing and turning his neck. The muscles then become quite stiff; the mouth is nearly closed; the jaws cannot be parted, and little or no food can be taken into the mouth. By degrees all the muscles become affected I with the same stiffness and cramp; the eyes are still and staring, pulled back into their sockets, and squinted outward, and the haw is thrust forward; the neck can not be bent and the muscles feel hard and firm, the head can not be raised or lowered, and is held forward, with the nose stretched out; the nostrils are expanded; the ears pointed forward, erect, and fixed; the lips are firmly stretched across the teeth, which are partly seen; the saliva flows from the mouth; and the horse looks anxious, and can scarcely move, the belly is hard and tucked up; the tail is lifted up and held straight out, anti in constant tremble; the legs are firmly fixed to the ground, and spread out from each other; the bowels are bound, and urine passed with difficulty; the breathing is quickened, labored and convulsive; the pulse is disturbed easily by frightening or speaking angrily to the horse, and it becomes afterward weak and trembling. While the spasm of the muscles continue, the animal is in constant pain, although it is less severe at some times than others.
Treatment.—Where a wound or injury has taken place, and tetanus supervenes, it will be, of course, traced directly to this, and the wound should at once be treated as recommended for that particular case. If the discharge has suddenly stopped, it should be reproduced by mild, warm applications to the part.
To relieve the local injury before mentioned, the bran poultice is usually best, and should be applied quite warm, and repeated every two or four hours, or when it gets dry or cold. Look carefully and see if a nail has been driven into the quick of the foot or some such injury done, and always relieve the local injury as far as possible. The horse should be treated with the greatest possible kindness and not be handled roughly or unkindly. The groom must not shout or speak angrily, and too much light must not be admitted to the stable for the same reason. Everything must be done in the most kind and quiet manner possible, as you have here not only a muscular spasm, but a congested condition of the brain also. Before giving the medicine, the lips, mouth and tongue, should be cleaned with a cool, wet cloth or rag, and the saliva or mucus cleared away. If the tongue or lips are dry, moisten them freely with cold water before giving the medicine. Bathe the head and neck freely and the stiffened muscles along the sides of the neck, from time to time, with Humphreys’ Marvel Witch Hazel, and it will be well to inject into the anus a quart of linseed or olive oil to quicken the movements of the bowels.