ct the attention of the owner is difficulty in chewing and
swallowing, an extension of the head and protrusion over the inner part
of the eye of the membrana nictitans, or haw. An examination of the
mouth will reveal an inability to open the jaws to their full extent,
and the endeavor to do so will produce great nervous excitability and
increased spasm of the muscles of the jaw and neck. The muscles of the
neck and along the spine become rigid and the legs are moved in a stiff
manner. The slightest noise or disturbance throws the animal into
increased spasm of all the affected muscles. The tail is usually
elevated and held immovable; the bowels become constipated early in the
attack. The temperature and pulse are not much changed. These symptoms
in the acute type become rapidly aggravated until all the muscles are
rigid--in a state of tonic spasm--with a continuous tremor running
through them; a cold perspiration breaks out on the body; the breathing
becomes painful from the spasm of the muscles used in respiration; the
jaws are completely set, eyeballs retracted, lips drawn tightly over the
teeth, nostrils dilated, and the animal presents a picture of the most
extreme agony until death relieves him. The pulse, which at first was
not much affected, will become quick and hard, or small and thready when
the spasm affects the muscles of the heart. In the subacute cases the
jaws may never become entirely locked; the nervous excitability and
rigidity of the muscles are not so great. There is, however, always some
stiffness of the neck or spine manifest in turning; the haw is turned
over the eyeball when the nose is elevated. It is not uncommon for
owners to continue such animals at their work for several days after the
first symptoms have been observed. All the symptoms may gradually
increase in severity for a period of ten days, and then gradually
diminish under judicious treatment, or they may reach the stage wherein
all the characteristics of acute tetanus become developed. In some
cases, however, we find the muscular cramps almost solely confined to
the head or face, perhaps involving those of the neck. In such cases we
have complete trismus (lockjaw), and all the head symptoms are acutely
developed. On the contrary, we may find the head almost exempt in some
cases, and have the body and limbs perfectly rigid and incapable of
movement without falling.

Tetanus may possibly be confounded with spinal meningitis, but the
ch