There are no very important changes recognized in the nerve centres or in the nerve fibres beyond slight congestion, which sometimes is apparent in the nerves proceeding from the wound. The blood is dark in colour, and there are patches of blood-coloured exudation under the serous and mucous membranes. The lungs are usually congested, sometimes in a state of gangrene. Commonly the muscles are very dark in colour, and are marked with patches of blood-coloured exudation here and there.

Treatment

Absolute quietude experience has proved to be essential. The late Professor Spooner used to advise his students to lock the stable door and take possession of the key, and this cannot be regarded otherwise than as excellent advice. Where an animal offers no resistance it is desirable that he should be slung to prevent the injury which results from his struggling to maintain the erect position. When the patient can masticate, any kind of green food or cooked food may be given, otherwise the diet will have to be restricted to gruel, or meat soup thickened with meal, and at all times cold water should be within the animal's reach. The surface of the body should be protected from cold by clothing adapted to the season. Medicines appear to be of little use. When they are employed, narcotics should be selected, and exhibited by the method of hypodermic injection.

The injection of large quantities of antitoxic serum has been tried recently, but with very moderate success, and under most favourable circumstances tetanus must be looked upon as an extremely fatal disorder.