DISEASES OF THE DRAIN AND NERVOUS Si'STEM. 73 



by continued irritation and inanimation ; or it expires in tt rrible 

 convulsions. Tetanus, indisputably, is a nervous affection. An 

 injury to a small fiber of some nerve extends to the origin of the 

 nerve, when the brain becomes affected, and a diseased action of 

 the body ensues. When locked-jaw results fatally, it will be be- 

 fore the expiration of nine days, as the horse dies, without a remis- 

 sion of the spasms, from sheer exhaustion. The free use of the 

 \ancet is regarded as one of the surest means of curing tetanic 

 cases, as by a flow of blood we open the bowels and tranquilize 

 the system. Venesection is the most powerful sedative for mus- 

 cular spasms. The nervous influence passes off with the blood; 

 therefore the flow should be most copious. We may bleed the 

 horse until he falls, before the triumph is complete. The perma- 

 nent strength of the animal is not hazarded by the free use of the 

 lancet, but we simply make an attack upon the seat of the disease. 

 Physic, also, is a matter of much importance. Profuse bleeding* 

 will cause the muscles of the jaws to relax, when the dose may be 

 introduced into the mouth. Clysters assist the action of the pur- 

 gatives ; therefore are useful. The application to the spine of 

 green sheep-skins, warm from the slaughtered animal, will some- 

 times diminish the sufferings of the patient. By gently rubbing 

 the spine with the hand, and then by using an opiate liniment, a 

 relief may be afforded. From eight to ten drachms of aloes should 

 be administered as a physic. The farina of croton-nut is also a 

 powerful purgative. A solution of Epsom salts constitutes a safe 

 injection as a clyster. Opium, when given in doses, varying from 

 one half to two drachms, is a valuable medicine in cases of lock- 

 jaw. The disease is a violent one, and to check it prompt meas- 

 ures must be resorted to." 



Contrast this with the following case : While in the city of 61, 

 Louis, a short time ago, I was requested to visit a bay gelding, 

 aged eight years, the property of Captain Silva. The messenger 

 informed me, not knowing that it was a case of tetanus, that the 

 horse was " all stiffened up." On an examination, the following 

 symptoms were presented : The muscles in the region of the neck 

 a ud back, rigid ; the eyes had a sort of squinting appearance ; the 

 nose protruded ; the ears were erect and stationary ; the nostrils 

 were expanded to their utmost capacity ; the head, neck, and trunk 

 seemed to be immovable, so that it was impossible to make him 

 turn in any direction, or describe the least segment of a circle, 



