TETANUS — LOCKJAW. 273 



than is usual in health, and can only move a few steps at a time 

 with the greatest diflSculty. From the character of the breathing 

 and the general appearance of the countenance an impression is 

 conveyed that the animal suffers acuteh^ a view that bacomes con- 

 firmed when, as is often the case, perspiration is very profuse; if 

 the animal is beyond the reach of relief, the pulse, which may in 

 the earlier stages have been firm, as death draws near becomes 

 more rapid and decidedly feeble, and overpowering exhaustion is 

 but too plainly evident. 



Treatment. — To prevent the administration of medicinal 

 agents from being absolutely useless there is one precaution that 

 must be observed most strictly; the more perfect the silence in 

 the box or stable and the more completely quiet prevails in the 

 immediate precincts, the better for the patient; but it is absolutely 

 a sine-qua-non that the man who attends the horse should move 

 about in the quietest and most deliberate manner possible; the 

 stable should be darkened; the door must be opened and shut 

 without any noise, and strictly abstain from shouting or even 

 talking, any deviation from this line of conduct is calculated to 

 aggravate the spasms and paroxysms of pain and thus retard a pos- 

 sible recovery. From a medicinal standpoint we have known many 

 cases cured absolutely and alone by Aconite ix, more especially in 

 cases that can be distinctly traced to undue exposure to cold, or 

 to sudden shock from a local injur}-; Henry Edgar, Esq., M. R. 

 C. V. S., of Wan.stead, in Essex, has reported several cases very 

 successfully treated with Aconite; while we have personally had 

 the satisfaction of seeing three very decided cases make excellent 

 recov^eries under the action of this remedy. 



Strychnia 3X. This powerful drug is credited wnth being thor- 

 oughly en rapport with tetanus when the same owes its origin to 

 traumatic causes. Dr. Hughes affirms ' ' the homoeopathicit}' of 

 -Strychnia to tetanus needs no demonstration. It is one of those 

 facts which go to prove the fundamental character of the law of 

 similars, since we see nature herself making provision for its ap- 

 plication. Now Dr. Stille cites (as I have mentioned) eight cases 

 of the traumatic form of the disease in which its use was followed 

 by cure. ' ' We have relied more frequently upon this agent than 

 any other, and, as a rule, though not invariably, with success. 



Acid hydrocyanic 3X; doses not to exceed Jive drops; if Aconite 

 18 



