382 LOCK-JAW, OR TETANUS. 



cause of the disorder. In the case of a punctured wound, 

 particularly in the foot, if there be a confined sinus, have 

 the horn thinned, and slit it up with a knife. When 

 tetanus follows docking, it is advisable to dock anew : if 

 nicking be the cause, deepen the sections, and actively 

 stimulate the old wounded edges. Where castration has 

 preceded it, remove all ligature, if any remain, and foment 

 incessantly. Having pursued this intention, it next follows 

 to attend to the constitutional part of the complaint : or if 

 it be a case of true idiopathic tetanus, that, of course, must 

 at once engage the attention. It was some years ago very 

 usual to employ cold as a medical agent in the disease ; 

 this was done by removing the horse into the open air, 

 and dashing him with the coldest water for twenty minutes, 

 repeating the same every two or three hours, and in the 

 interim suffering him to remain uncovered, and in the open 

 air. In every instance this was found to mitigate the seve- 

 rity of the symptoms. Ice also has been applied ; the 

 relief obtained being usually in the exact degree of heat 

 abstracted, it was no wonder that it continued a favourite, 

 though generally a delusive practice ; for as warmth re- 

 turned, almost invariably the convulsive contractions returned 

 also ; therefore this method has very properly given place 

 to others which have proved more useful ; though the 

 former need not be lost sight of, as instances have occurred 

 of permanent benefit having been derived from it. It may, 

 therefore, be still tried, when the means which follow are 

 not attended with success ; but in that case, with the cold 

 bath or application of ice should be united some of the other 

 means pointed out. 



The general curative practice in tetanic cases among 

 veterinarians, leans to opening of the bowels, and to a 

 liberal administration of opiates, as being every one of 

 them powerful antispasmodics, but in this painful affection 

 proving doubly so conjointly ; to which are added, blister- 

 ing the spine. Tetanus, at first, not materially affecting 

 the vascular system, there is no necessity for bloodletting, 

 but by all means commence the treatment with a purgative. 

 The croton nut, acting more speedily, offers itself first to 

 notice ; it is also small in compass, and may therefore be 

 administered in substance, under circumstances of almost 



