face may be drawn
into frightful contortions. Food can be given only through such spaces as
may exist between the teeth, as often the patient cannot open his mouth
himself, nor can it be pried open by any force that would be allowable.
When the muscles of the trunk are affected the abdomen may be drawn
inward, become very hard and stiff, chest movements are affected, making
it difficult to breathe, sometimes almost to suffocation. Sometimes the
body becomes bent like a bow, as in some cases of spinal meningitis, so
that only the head and heels support the weight of the body. The body may
become so rigid that it can be lifted by a single limb as you would a
statue. It is fortunate that there are few cases, comparatively, of
lockjaw as the distorted face and general contractions of the body are
painful to witness.

Recovery.--The mortality in lockjaw cases runs about eight per cent.
Sometimes death is caused by exhaustion from the muscular exertions; the
patient is seldom able to sleep and sometimes wears out in a few days.
Sometimes suffocation brings a sudden end to his sufferings and usually
one or two days to ten or twelve days is the limit. Among the lower
classes where sanitary science is seldom observed, and even among the
better classes, lockjaw has been known to occur in infants. It usually
comes on, in ten to fifteen days after birth, and the child seldom lives
more than a few days, It is hard to account for such cases which may come
on suddenly from the slightest excitement such as sudden noises, etc.

MOTHERS' REMEDIES.--l. Lockjaw, Successful Remedy for.--"A very good and
successful remedy for this disease, is to apply a warm poultice of
flaxseed meal, saturated with laudanum and sugar of lead water, to the
jaws and neck."

2. Lockjaw, Smoke as a Cure for.--"Smoke the wound for twenty minutes in
the smoke of burnt woolen cloths. This is considered a never failing
remedy."

[INFECTIOUS DISEASES 233]

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT.--If from a wound cut open and use antiseptics.
Isolate the patient and have absolute quiet. Antitoxin is used with
success in some cases of lockjaw, but this and other remedies or measures
must be handled by a physician, Opium is sometimes given and stimulants
such as brandy, whisky, etc. As it is a case of life or death in a very
short time, we cannot advise depending upon home treatment. A preventive
caution that must always be observed is the use of antiseptics and the
strictest car