Sorter's disease occurs among those employed in
picking over wool or hair of infected animals--the germs being inhaled or
swallowed. The onset is sudden with a chill, then fever, pain in the back
and legs, and severe prostration. There may be difficulty of breathing and
signs of bronchitis, or vomiting and diarrhea. Death is a common
termination, sometimes within a day. Death rate is from five to twenty-six
per cent. Greatest when the swelling is near the head.

Treatment.--The wound or swelling should be cauterized and a solution of
carbolic acid or bichloride of mercury injected around it and applied to
its surface. Stimulants and feeding are important.

LOCKJAW. (Tetanus).--Tetanus or lockjaw, as it is commonly called, is an
infectious disease and is characterized by painful and violent
contractions of the voluntary muscles; it may be of the jaw alone or of a
considerable part of the body.

Causes.--The intelligence and mental faculties are not impaired. In most
cases it follows a wound or injury, although in others there seems to be
no exciting causes. Fourth of July celebrations furnish a great many of
our lockjaw cases. Ten to fifteen days usually elapse after the wound
before lockjaw really sets in.

[232 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

Symptoms.--It comes on occasionally with a chill or chilly feelings;
usually by rigidity (stiffness) of the neck, jaw and face. On arising in
the morning there is sometimes a stiffness of the muscles at the back of
the head. It is not unusual on taking a slight cold to have a stiff neck
and often the patient's attention is not attracted by this symptom.
Sometimes this stiffness begins or soon extends to the muscles of the
lower jaw; the throat becomes dry and is painful and gradually the
stiffness increases to a continuous contraction, spasm, and extends to the
muscles of the trunk and extremities. The body becomes rigid in a straight
line or bent backward, forward or sidewise. This spasm occurs after any
slight irritation and is extremely painful. Temperature is usually low.
During the first spasms the patient may attempt to open his mouth as he
may naturally be suspicious of the trouble that is coming; he succeeds
with difficulty and even finds it hard to swallow; soon the jaws may be
firmly closed, and it is from this feature of the disease that it gained
the name of lockjaw. The contractions in some cases do not extend beyond
the neck and face muscles. During the contractions the