TETANUS, OR LOCKET JAW. IQ. 



of inflammation, but tlie intestines, in most cases, wid not exhibit much departure 

 from the hue of health. The examination of the brain will be altogether unsatisfac- 

 tory. There may be slight injection of some of the membranes, but, in the majority 

 of cases, there will not be any morbid change worthy of record. 



Tetanus is usually the result of the injury of some nervous fibre, and the effect of 

 that lesion propagated to the brain. The foot is the most frequent source or focus of 

 tetanic injury. It has been pricked in shoeing, or wounded by something on the 

 road. The horse becomes lame — the injury is carelessly treated, or not treated at all 

 — the lameness, however, disappears, but the wound has not healed. There is aa 

 unhealthiness about it, and at the expiration of eight or ten days, tetanus appears. 

 Some ner\'ous fibre has been irritated or inflamed by the accident, slight as it was. 



Docking and nicking, especially when the stump was seared too severely in the 

 former, or the bandage had not been loosened suflicicntly early in the latter, used to 

 be frequent causes of tetanus. It is frequently connected with castration, when the 

 colt had not been properly prepared for the operation, or the searing-iron has been 

 applied too severely, or the animal has been [)ut to work too soon after the operation, 

 or exposed to unusual cold. The records of veterinary proceedings contain accounts 

 of tetanus following labour, brutally exacted beyond tlie animal's natural strength, in 

 the draught of heavy loads. Horses ihat have been matched against time have too 

 frequently died of tetanus a little while afterwards. vSudden exposure to cold after 

 being heated by exercise has produced this dreadful state of nervous action, and 

 especially if the horse has stood in a partial draught, or cold water has been dripping 

 on the loins. 



The treatment of tetanus is simple, and would be oftener successful if carried to its 

 full extent. The indication of cure is plain enough — the sysitm inusl be iranqiiilllzed. 

 The grand agent in accomplishing this is the copious abstraction of blood. There is 

 not a more powerful sedative in cases of muscular spasm than venesection. A double 

 purpose is efl^ected. The determination of blood to the origins of the nerves, and by 

 which they were enabled to secrete and to pour out this torrent of nervous influence. 

 is lessened. The supply of blood to the muscular system is also diminished. The 

 pabulum of the nervous and muscular system — the life of both of them — the caoability 

 of acting in the one, and of beifig acted upon by the other, is taken away. The pro- 

 per course to be pursued, whether theory or experience be consulted, is, on the first 

 access of tetanus, to bleed, and to bleed until the horse falters or falls. No attention 

 should be paid to any specific quantity of blood to be abstracted, but the animal should 

 bleed on until he drops, or the pulse evidently falters. Twenty pounds have been 

 taken before the object of the practitioner was accomplished, but he never had occa- 

 sion to repent of the course which he pursued. Inflammatorj^ action like this must lie 

 subdued by the promptest and most efficient means ; and there is one unerring p-uide 

 — the pulse. While that remains firm, the bleeding should continue. The practi- 

 • tioner is attacking the disease, and not in the slightest degree hazarding the permanent 

 strength of the patient. 



Next in order, and equal in importance, is physic. The profuse bleeding just 

 recommended will generall)' relax the muscles of the jaw so far as to enable a dose 

 of physic to be given. Eight or ten drachms of aloes should be administered. If the 

 remission of the spasm is slight, there is another purgative — not so certain in its 

 action, but more powerful wlien it does act — the farina of the Croton nut. There is 

 little or no danger of exciting inflammation of the mucous membrane of the intestines 

 by this prompt and energetic administration of purgative medicine, for there is too 

 much determination of vital power towards the nervous system — too much irritation 

 there — to leave cause for dreading the possibility of metastasis elsewhere. It would 

 be desirable if a certain degree of inflammation could be excited, because to that 

 extent the irritation of the nervous system might be allayed. There is another reason, 

 and a very powerful one — time is rapidly passing. The tetanic action may extend to 

 the intestines, and the co-o])eration of the abdominal muscles in keeping up the peri- 

 staltic motion of the bowels, and expelling their contents, may be lost. 



Clysters will be useful in assisting the action of the purgative. A solution of 

 Epsom salts will constitute the safest and best injection. As to medicine, opium is 



o 



