DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. 133 



much more harm than could be overcome by all the medicines you could 

 pour into it. Therefore do not attempt it. Dissolve 1 ounce of bromide 

 of potassium in every 2 gallons of water the patient will drink. Leave 

 a fresh supply of water with the medicine in it before the animal at each 

 visit, and secure the bucket so that it can not be overturned. Three 

 times a day inject into the rectum 2 ounces each of the tinctures of 

 conium and cannabis indica, diluted with 1 pint of warm water. 



Everything must be done in a quiet, orderly manner, so as not to ex- 

 cite the patient. Do not pay any attention to the numerous recipes for 

 lockjaw advised to be given by different acquaintances. The veteri- 

 nary expert, governed by the exigencies of the case, is competent to make 

 changes and substitute measures intended to relieve symptoms, but the 

 nouprofessional had best confine himself to au outlined course of treat- 

 ment and abide by the result of it. No doubt you will be advised to 

 chloroform the animal, or to do one thing or another, to " unlock the 

 jaws/' etc., but do not follow the advice, as you will only hasten a fatal 

 termination ; all such methods have been tried again and again with no 

 benefit. In those cases where no wound is found the treatment must 

 be the same in all respects, with the exception, of course, that there is 

 no wound to treat. But if there has been a recent wound which is 

 apparently healed, bathe the scar well with warm water, and if there 

 be the slightest sign that it is not entirely healed, use the medicine 

 on it as advised for the other wounds. 



When improvement is pronounced, the medicine given in the drinking 

 water and in the rectum should be gradually discontinued by giving only 

 two-thirds of the prescribed quantities of each for a few days, then one- 

 half for a few days longer; then the half doses twice a day, until it is 

 safe to stop the use of the medicine altogether. But at any time after 

 the quantities are decreased if unfavorable symptoms are manifested, 

 the original quantities should be given again as long as necessary. The 

 treatment prescribed for the wounds should be continued until the 

 wounds are healed, and for some time after, if the symptoms of tetanus 

 are still presented. 



If the disease is not recogni/ed until after the power of swallowing is 

 entirely lost there is little to be accomplished by treatment. It is true 

 that nourishing food, such as gruels, milk, etc., may be given in the 

 form of enemas, but even if life is prolonged for a short time by this 

 means, such cases terminate fatally. 



If it be true that tetanus is due to the effects of a specific germ 

 (liacillux tetani) and there is not much doubt about it then a great 

 deal may be done to prevent the disca.sc by the antiseptic treatment of 

 all wounds. If you perform any surgical operations your hands and 

 instruments should be thoroughly cleansed according to antiseptic 

 methods, a description of which will be found under its proper head. 

 It is a fact that an extremely small percentage of wounds are followed 

 by tetanus, but still it is economical in a general sense to properly treat 

 wounds. 



