60 SPECIAL VETERINARY THERAPY 



cervical region. Since 1905 I have been using the 

 fluid extract of Passiflora incarnata for tetanus spasms. 



The one great advantage that this drug has in this 

 condition lies in the fact that it can be given indefi- 

 nitely in the same dosage without the effect becoming 

 less. In other words, tolerance for the action of the 

 drug does not develop ; an ounce gives the same effect 

 at the end of two weeks' continuous treatment as it 

 does from the first dose. 



The action of this drug seems to be selective in 

 this disease. It can not be described as a hypnotic 

 nor as a narcotic action. It seems to have a clear seda- 

 tive effect, restricting its power to the abatement of 

 the nerve irritability. The patient shows only this 

 effect; no evidence of drowsiness or inertia. 



My method is to arrange matters so that the horse 

 will be given a full ounce of the drug every three 

 hours, day and night, during the first forty-eight 

 hours. By this time the full physiologic effect of the 

 drug is obtained. This effect may then be maintained 

 indefinitely by giving an ounce every three or four 

 hours during the day, beginning early in the morning 

 and stopping late at night. This course should be 

 kept up day after day until there is such improvement 

 that only an occasional dose need be given during each 

 day. The drug may be given undiluted with a dose 

 syringe. 



Usually the horse is fairly relaxed from this treat- 

 ment within a day or two, and most of my cases are 

 almost fat by the time they recover. With other 

 forms of treatment, it has been impossible for me to 

 terminate a well marked case of tetanus with the horse 

 in good flesh ; more often than not they were wasted 

 to only a shell of their former condition. 



