It generally affects one or both hind legs, sometimes a fore leg, and varies in intensity. If may be most easily observed when the horse is first put is motion, or in the act of turning. It increases as the animal grows older, and although for a time no inconvenience attend it, it ultimately becomes unsightly and interferes with action. The horse is able to do any kind of work, but Stringhalt constitutes a form of legal unsoundness. Though regarded as incurable, Nux Vomica and Cimicifuga might be productive of benefit.
Tetanus – Lockjaw
DEFINITION.- General or partial contraction or spasm of the muscles, voluntary and involuntary, arising from excitation of the spinal cord.
VARIETIES.- The term Tetanus us used when reference is made to the spasmodic affection of the whole muscular structure; Trismus, when the muscles of mastication are involved; Opisthotonus, when the head is drawn upward and arched, Emprosthotonus, when the body is bent to one side. Tetanus is called Idiopathic when it arises from some general disease of the system; and Traumatic when it is occasioned by injuries.
CAUSES.- Injuries, wounds, pricks in the foot, docking too near the rump, castration, and other causes of a similar kind. General diseases may also, as before stated, bring on the compliant; such as exposure of an animal when perspiring to cold and wet, the irritation produced by the presence of worms in the intestinal canal, and other causes which affect the health of the animal.
SYMPTOMS.- The animal may not present any thing peculiar to the general observer, beyond a degree of stiffness in the gait, and the muscles of the jaws and neck, so that the animal has difficulty is swallowing and in turning the neck. Afterwards, the stiffness becomes more marked and general; the eyes become inflamed and fixed; the hind legs rigid; and the animal walks awkwardly and with difficulty. The ears and neck become rigid; the breathing laboured and hurried, the air expelled is hot, and, finally, the whole frame becomes rigid. “The disease becomes a remittent one, the spasm and general excitement of the system becomes increased, and afterwards declines. The patient perspires freely, the muscular system becomes more rigid, and the respirations are also increased. This remittent character of Tetanus is of constant occurrence. An increase of the general spasm may come on once every twelve or twenty four hours for many days in succession, and continue for a long time with a similar degree of force; then slowly abate both in intensity and regularity, until it disappears, and leaves the patient convalescent;” or the spasmodic attacks “appear with increased force, succeed each other with greater rapidity. The respiration becomes more rapid and harsh in sound, until at least one spasm more dreadful in intensity than any former one, seizes the poor animal, and death mercifully closes the scene.” Haycock.
TREATMENT.- The best remedies are – Camph., Arnica, Belladonna, Aconite, and Nux Vom.
Camphor is an excellent remedy to commence the treatment with, when the disease has been induced by cold or wet, or other depressing circumstances. Administer ten drops about every twenty minutes, till warmth is restored to the general system.
After this, administer Belladonna every hour till the jaws begin to relax, when it may be given less frequently. This will be found a most valuable agent in Tetanus.
Nux Vomica is a leading remedy in this disease, especially if the digestive system has been previously disordered. It is indicated by rigidity of the muscles, increase of spasm by the lease excitement, twitchings and jerks, Opisthotonus. It may be given every four or six hours, or it may be administered in turns with Belladonna. Aconitum.- If at the commencement, or during the course of the attack, inflammatory symptoms are present, it will be desirable to administer a few doses of Aconitum, and afterwards proceed with the remedy next indicated.
Arnica.- This will be the most appropriate medicine to begin with if the disease arises from an injury; it may be given alone or in turns with Belladonna, Nux Vomica, or Aconitum, every one two, three, or four hours. At the same time, the wound must receive prompt attention, according to the instructions given in other parts of this book.
Mr. Haycock makes the following excellent remarks on the inaction of the bowels which usually accompanies lockjaw and other diseases of a serious nature. “Many authors upon tetanus manifest alarm at what has been called ‘that fearful state of constipation so common to tetanus.’ a great extent, mythical. When disease of a severe character invades the system, all the natural secretions are for a time more or less suspended; but so soon as the organism recovers its force, or becomes accustomed to the change produced by the disease, the more important functions are resumed. I have witnessed this over and over again in tetanus, particularly with regard to the digestive functions.”
ACCESSORY MEANS.- Comfort, warmth, gentle treatment, and a subdued light, are indispensable to recovery. All attempts to force open the jaws are not only unavailing, but cruel; for they increase the agony of the animal, and aggravate the disorder. No more persons should be allowed to go near the patient than are necessary, and the attendants should not shout, or handle the animal roughly. As tetanus causes the animal to perspire copiously, the cloths thus wetted must often be changed for dry ones.
DIET.- In the intervals between the paroxysms, when the jaws become relaxed, food may be offered; it must be easy of digestion, such as gruel, mashes of boiled rice and bran, boiled turnips, bran and boiled oats, and the like. If the animal is unable to eat for some time, it may be necessary to give an injection of oatmeal gruel, after having previously cleared out the bowel by an injection of tepid water.
CAUTION.- It is essentially necessary in the treatment of tetanus, as well as in all other diseases, that the cause which produced it should be removed. As long as this continues in operation, all our efforts must be fruitless. Thrush – Aphthae.
SYMPTOMS.- Thrush often occurs in sucking calves or lambs, and is occasioned by the bad quality of the mother’s milk. The mouth is filled with white ulcers or small blisters, a frothy, stringy saliva flows from the mouth, the sucking of the animals is impeded, and they become thin.
TREATMENT.- Mercurius.- The tongue or mouth is covered with blisters, and stringy saliva flows from the mouth. Two grains of trituration every four hours, till better.
Arsenicum.- When the more prominent symptoms have disappeared, if the animal remain poor, dull, and is off its food, two grains thrice daily, till these symptoms are mitigated.
ACCESSORY MEANS.- Attention should be paid to the mother’s feed, which must be sound and nourishing; a clean and comfortable stable or shed should be provided for her; and, when the disease has subsided, a dose of Sulphur given night and morning for a few days.
Tympanites – Drum – Belly – Windy Colic.
DEFINITION.- Drum-like distention of the stomach and bowels, with wind. It sets in suddenly, and many happen to any of the animals referred to in this work.
CAUSES.- Immoderate use of fresh, green food. Tympanites may also supervene upon a moderate sized, but too quickly devoured feed; or it may arise from the animal being worked too soon after feeding. Grains and malt, if eaten in excessive quantities, develop carbonic acid gas, and cause flatulence. Indigestion may likewise occasion the disease.
SYMPTOMS.- These are similar to those of colic, but of a more acute character. The animal ceases to eat, the abdomen swells perceptibly, the spine is curved upwards, the rectum is thrust out, and the tail is raised; the breathing becomes oppressed, and the eyes are protruded; horses paw and ground, kick, lie down frequently and then rise again; the ears and feet are alternately cold and warm. In cattle and sheep, the distention is sometimes so considerable that a sound is heard when striking on the swelling of the abdomen is so enormously great, that the stomach is ruptured; when the death of the animal is almost inevitable.
TREATMENT.- This must be undertaken with all possible speed.
Colocynthis.- This is especially indicated when the disease occurs in consequence of eating green food too freely. Administer ten drops, in a few spoonfuls of water, every fifteen or twenty minutes, until the symptoms are mitigated; afterwards every two or three hours, as long as may be necessary.
Other remedies are – Aconite, Ammonium- Causticum, Arsenicum, and Nux Vom. For the symptoms indicating these remedies, see the article Colic.
ACCESSORY TREATMENT.- Hand-rubbing the abdomen with considerable amount of pressure and enemas of warm water will be of service.
AFTER-TREATMENT.- When the attack is over great caution is necessary as to food, which should be restricted to such articles as gruel and barley-water, and only given in small quantities, until the digestive organs are fully restored to a healthy state. Hay, and dry food of any kind, had better be withheld for a day or two.
The Udder : Its Disease.
1st. – INFLAMMATION.- This frequently occurs before and after parturition, and sometimes after weaning.
LICENTIATE OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS; MEMBER OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS; LICENTIATE IN MIDWIFERY, LONDON AND EDINBURGH, ETC. PHYSICIAN TO THE READING AND BERKSHIRE HOMOEOPATHIC DISPENSARY.
Author of "The Stepping Stone to Homeopathy and Health,"
"Manual of Homoeopathic Treatment". Editor of "The Homoeopathic World."