OF FARRIERY. 



209 



violent, the pulse is contracted, hurried, and 

 irregular ; and the respiration is affected in 

 like manner. The heat of the body, is com- 

 monly not increased ; the extremities are 

 generally cold, with a cold sweat over the 

 whole of the body. Blood is frequently drawn 

 in this disease ; but it never exhibits any in- 

 flammatory crust, and all accounts seem to 

 agree, that the blood drawn seems to be of a 

 looser texture than ordinary ; and that it does 

 not coagulate in the usual manner. It is no 

 less extraordinary, that in this violent disease, 

 the natural functions are not either immedi- 

 ately or considerably affected ; and it is usual 

 for the appetite of hunger to remain through 

 the whole course of the disease. 



This disease frequently follows docking and 

 nicking ; also I have known it after castra- 

 tion. 



As I have endeavoured to describe the dis- 

 ease, locked-jaw, as plainly as possible to my 

 readers, the first thing that next presents 

 itself, is the means of cure ; and this, I must 

 confess, is a difficult one. So many remedies 

 have been tried, and so many failures aris- 

 ing, that there can be no certain remedy 

 pointed out, for the removal of so distressing 

 a disease. The cold bath, had for a long 

 time its advocates ; but without any real 

 good. If one Horse got well under such treat- 

 ment, it was applied to all, but not with 

 general success ; consequently, it fell into 

 disuse. Bleeding, as a relaxant to the spas- 

 modic action of the muscles, has also shared 

 the same fate. Blistering the whole course 

 of the spine, I am sorry to say, has met with 

 no better success. Even the old farrier's 

 remedy, of docking the tail about an inch, 

 does not seem to carry a specific with it. 

 Unctions, balsamic, and spirituous embroca- 



tions, which many practitioners have recom- 

 mended, are not only useless remedies, but 

 even hurtful. If the case arises from a wound, 

 we ought to endeavour to excite a local in- 

 flammation in the wounded part itself, and to 

 raise the inflammation as high as is consistent 

 with the resolution afterwards. We certainly 

 know that nothing promotes a general phlo- 

 gislic diathesis through the system more 

 than a wound, attended with a hiali deo-ree 

 of inflammation; but this is not always to be 

 obtained, though you may apply the strongest 

 stimulants the whole list of medicines could 

 produce ; for, I have found that in wounds 

 productive of tetanus, there is an abscfuie 

 want of this inflammation, so necessary to the 

 cure and well-being of the patient ; to do 

 w hich, enlarge the wound as much as may be 

 convenient, and insert a plegit of tow, first 

 being dipped in warm oil of turpentine. 



I have restored a Horse from tetanus, by a 

 strong solution of aloes, combined with laud a 

 nura, as under: — 



Take spirituous solution of aloes 3 ounces, 

 Laudanum - - _ _ 1 do. 



Give this mixture frequently ; say every three 

 hours. If the jaws are so closely set, that 

 you cannot give it the Horse by the mouth, 

 have his head elevated by force, and pour the 

 mixture into a quart bottle ; then carefully 

 pour it down one of his nostrils ; which after 

 a little time he will not resist. When he has 

 began to take the above, without much diffi- 

 culty (for you must not mind a little trouble,) 

 you may break a little of the cordial pectoral 

 ball with it ; and continue it until you see a 

 change for the better : which, if such be the 

 case, and the jaws become a little loose, you 

 may expect a favourable termination. Give 

 3 Q 



