Another man rides far and fast through a heavy shower. He reaches a distant house and flings himself from the saddle, fastening the horse to the door-post. Cordials are ready for the man, and business is discussed over a glass. No one thinks seriously of the poor life fastened to the door-post. "The horse is wet and can take no harm." "The gallop home will warm it," and so forth. Therefore, the animal remains, to be drenched by the rain and to creep as near to the house as it may for partial shelter; the posterior part of the body, however, projects, and the drops fall, heavy and cold as lead, upon the loins of the patient beast. The blood loses its warmth and the limbs their elasticity. When the owner again crosses the saddle he may be jolly; but it needs both spur and whip to cause the dripping and frozen animal to move. When tetanus originates in some wound, the horse is generally nervous from the first. It fidgets in the stall; it lacks the repose which usually sits so beautifully upon the sick horse's frame. It is excited at the approach of any person, and, commonly, very obstinate when given physic. The wound may, nevertheless, be healthy. Sometimes, as the outbreak draws near, the wound may rapidly close, become morbidly dry, or, instead of pus, send forth only a foul and scanty serum. Instances are narrated of tetanus supervening upon mortification; but such reported cases are, in the horse, very rare. Commonly, the wound presents no appearance by which any man, however profound his knowledge, could guess the consequence to which it had given rise. [Illustration: THE TEST FOR TETANUS, WHEN NOT FULLY DEVELOPED.] Tetanus is announced by an appearance of excitement. The tail is erect; the ears pointed forward; the head elevated; the legs stiffened and stretched out. This aspect of excitement is not temporary. The groom passes through the stable and the attitude is maintained. He wonders "what ails the horse?" It seems all alive; yet, though the groom shout out "come over," the order is obeyed with difficulty. The food is not eaten. It is picked and strewed about, but not devoured. When master returns home, the groom wishes he would "_just look_" at the horse. It is very strange indeed! Why, the tail is quivering and the body feels quite hard--not like flesh. Hopes are expressed and the "veterinary" sent for. He proceeds at once to the manger, observing the animal as he approaches. With one hand he raises the horse's head. The haw is projected over the eye, and a case of tetanus is recognized.