380 TETANUS. 



With regard to medical treatment, we could say much in 

 condemnation of the modes usually pursued. Numbers of 

 horses we doubt not, die from the disease. Numbers endowed 

 with constitutional vigour sufficient for a time to conquer almost 

 anything, recover in spite of both disease and treatment ; whilst 

 others are without doubt destroyed by the treatment pursued. 



The treatment, to be rational, should be directed to three 

 ends. First — to the external comfort of the animal ; second — 

 to the state of the part locally injured, when the disease arises 

 from causes of a mechanical nature ; and third — to control the 

 violence of the disease, by giving all the aid we can to the vital 

 powers. The nature of the attention to be directed to the 

 comfort of the animal, the reader will find amply treated upon 

 from pages 108 to 119. 



Tetanus, it may be said resembles to "some extent, a heap of 

 combustibles ; the least violent interference with the disease, 

 and the whole animal is at once in a state of fearful commotion. 

 The administration of large doses of purgative medicine, such 

 as Calomel or Aloes, or the Farina of Croton, are very likely 

 in patients naturally excitable, to heighten the disease. 



Many authors upon Tetanus, manifest alarm at what has 

 been called, " that fearful state of constipation so common to 

 Tetanus." Now this said "fearful state of constipation" is, to 

 a great extent, mythical. When disease of a severe character 

 invades the system, all the natural secretions are for a time 

 more or less suspended ; but so soon as the organism recovers 

 its force, or becomes accustomed to the change produced by the 

 disease, the more important functions are resumed. I have 

 witnessed this over and over again in Tetanus, particularly with 

 regard to the digestive functions. 



For three or four days after the commencement of an 

 attack, the bowels rarely act ; but if, at the expiration of the 



