Tetanus. 307 



tation of these members as soon as tetanic symptoms appear (Kit- 

 asato, Babes). Unfortunately in too many cases, when first seen, 

 too much of the marvelously potent toxin has already reached the 

 nerve centres, and these have already undergone such changes, 

 that the disease is likely to go on to a fatal issue in spite of the 

 cutting off of future supplies of toxin. Yet the principle is sound 

 and proves helpful in proportion as it is applied nearer to the time 

 of infection. The most thorough method is the amputation of 

 the infected member, if like the tail or ear it can be excised with- 

 out ruining the animal. In 1S75, Barbillon had success in again 

 amputating the tail, in a case of tetanus after docking. Next to 

 this comes the excision of the wounded tissues, but this can too 

 seldom be effectually and certainly accomplished, and we must fall 

 back on caustics and antiseptics. The actual cautery if thoroughly 

 applied may be trusted to destroy the bacillus along with the 

 tissues, but most of the chemical escharotics unite with the albu- 

 men to form an impermeable film, which protects the tissues in 

 the deeper part of the wound against the antiseptic action. Of 

 the different antiseptic applications carbolic acid should be especi- 

 ally recommended as being not only antiseptic, but also an anti- 

 dote to the toxins as shown below. It has the further advantage 

 of acting as a local anaesthetic, and of not coagulating albumen. 

 Creosote, creolin, lysol or other antiseptic may be used instead 

 and should be applied thoroughly to all parts of the depth of the 

 wound on a pledget of surgeon's cotton or through a tube. When 

 agents so little destructive are employed they may be continu- 

 ously applied to the sores for a length of time. 



Recoveries have taken place after neurectomy, and after 

 stretching the nerve going to the wounded part, the theory being 

 to check the afferent (sensory) nervous current, and arrest the 

 reflex spasms. The new irritation, however, caused by the sur- 

 gical wound is to be dealt with, and may itself turn the balance 

 against recovery. 



Nervous derivation appears to have been beneficial in some ad- 

 vanced, or partially convalescent cases. One horse after 14 days 

 illness (Taffanel) and another after 21 days (Prud'homme), were 

 castrated, bled freely and slowly recovered. Tisserand gives 

 another case without mentioning the stage of the disease. A 

 horse with advanced tetanus was taken to the seashore and shot. 



