82 LOCKED JAW CRAMP, 



Severe over-exertion, or sudden exposure to cold after being 

 heated by exercise, has also brought it on. 



The treatment of tetanus is simple — the system must he tran- 

 quillized. The grand agent in accomplishing this is copious 

 bleeding. The animal should be bled until he falls, or the 

 pulse evidently falters. Tvi^enty pounds of blood have been 

 safely taken in such cases. 



The profuse bleeding will generally relax the muscles of the. 

 jaw, so that a dose of physic can be administered. Eight or ten 

 drachms of aloes should be given. If the remission of the spasm 

 is slight, there is another purgative — not so certain in its action, 

 but more powerful when it does act — the farina of the Croton nut. 



Clysters will be useful in assisting the action of the purgative 

 A solution of Epsom salts will constitute the safest and best in- 

 jection. As to medicine, opium is not only a valuable drug, but 

 it is that on which alone dependence can be placed in this disease. 

 It will be borne in doses, from half a drachm to two drachms. 



The application of sheep-skins warm from the animal, and 

 applied along the whole course of the spine, may somewhat un- 

 load the congested vessels of the part, and diminish the sufierings 

 of the animal. They should be renewed as soon as they become 

 offensive, and the patient should be covered from the poll to the 

 tail with double or treble clothing. 



Gentle friction with the hand along the course of the spine, 

 and the application of an opiate liniment, is highly useful. 



Gruel should be placed within the reach of the horse, and he 

 should also have thoroughly wet mashes placed before him. By 

 means of a small horn, or bottle, gruel can sometimes be intro- 

 duced in the stomach. Tliis can be readily accomplished by 

 means of the flexible tube accompanying Read's patent pump, 

 A little food should be placed in the manger, and occasionally 

 inserted between his grinders. The effort to eat will assist in 

 breaking the chain of spasmodic action. Turn out the horse for 

 a few hours in the middle of the day, in fine weather.^ 



CRAMP. 



This is a sudden, involuntary, and painful spasm of a par- 

 ticular muscle. It occasionally attacks the muscles of organic 



* Note by Mr. Spooner. — Successful treatment is principally confined to 

 those cases in which the spasm is not universal, but confined to one part, as 

 the neck or jaw, when it is denominated trisums. Purgatives, opiates, and 

 antimonials, form, with blood-letting, the principal curative measures ; but 

 it should be borne in mind that, beyond all these, perfect quietude, and the 

 absence of all excitement, is most essential. The animal should therefore be 

 left alone as much as possible, without being harassed by frequent visita 

 and the exhibition of medicines. 



