TETAXUS. 491 



developed, some movement of the jaws still remaining, the 

 exacerbations not very severe — more especially if the animal 

 possess a calm quiet temper, and lives over the ninth day, — a 

 recovery may be expected. 



The wound having been properly attended to, the next thing 

 to be done is to place the animal loosely in slings ; this ought 

 to be done early, and before the nervous excitability becomes 

 too great. If the patient is comfortably slung, he will get used 

 to the slings before the malady has attained its height. I 

 recommend the slings because many horses which are in a fair 

 way of recovery lie or fall down when the muscles begin to relax, 

 and, when down, struggle and fight to such an extent that they 

 seldom recover from the excitement and renewed severity of 

 the disease thus brought on. The surroundings of the patient 

 are of the utmost importance ; the stable must be darkened ; 

 should contain no other horses ; be situated in a quiet spot, re- 

 moved from noises, and the door must have a lock, a key of 

 which is to be kept by one individual (the veterinary surgeon, 

 if possible), who is to visit the patient at most twice a day, and 

 great care must be taken that the animal is not tormented by flies. 



As a rule, the desire for food continues for several days ; the 

 thirst is considerable, and large quantities of nutritious fluids 

 will be drunk with avidity. 



The most important particulars in the successful treatment of 

 tetanus are quietude and nourishment, medicinal agents playing 

 but a subordinate part. 



Quietude having been secured, nourishment is to be given by 

 allowing the patient milk and thick gruel to drink ; along with 

 these, eggs may be mixed with advantage. A little hay or grass 

 placed in the rack will often keep the animal quiet, although 

 the attempts to swallow sometimes cause a paroxysm. 



The medicinal agents that have been used in the treatment of 

 tetanus are numerous ; purgatives, opium, tobacco, Calabar bean, 

 woorara, prussic acid, calomel, chloroform, belladonna, hyoscya- 

 mus, cannabis indicus, arsenic, chloral-hydrate, &c. &c. I have 

 treated tetanus in various ways, and am satisfied that administra- 

 tion of a does of aloes, if it can be given without exciting the 

 horse, followed by belladonna — which is only to be given when the 

 patient shows symptoms of great excitement — is the best method 

 of treatment. The Calabar bean, given in doses of two to four 



