ISO TETANUS, OR LOCKED JAW. 



recommended will generally relax the muscles of the jaw so far as to enable a 

 dose of physic to be given. Eight or ten drachms of aloes should be administered. 

 If the remission of the spasm is slight, there is another purgative — not so certain 

 in its action, but more powerful when it does act — the farina of the Croton 

 nut. There is little or no danger of exciting inflammation of the mucous mem- 

 brane of the intestines by this prompt and energetic administration of purgative 

 medicine, for there is too much determination of vital power towards the nervous 

 system — too much irritation there — to leave cause for dreading the possibility 

 of metastasis elsewhere. It would be desirable if a certain degree of inflamma- 

 tion could be excited, because to that extent the irritation of the nervous system 

 might be allayed. There is another reason, and a very powerful one — time is 

 rapidly passing. The tetanic action may extend to the intestines, and the 

 co-operation of the abdominal muscles in keeping up the peristaltic motion of 

 the bowels, and expelling their contents, may be lost. 



Clysters will be useful in assisting the action of the purgative. A solution 

 of Epsom salts will constitute the safest and best injection. As to medicine, 

 opium is not only a valuable drug, but it is that on which alone dependence can 

 be placed in this disease. It will be borne in doses, from half a drachm to two 

 drachms. 



Blisters are completely out of the question in a disease the very essence of 

 which is nervous irritability. 



The 'application of sheep-skins warm from the animal, and applied along the 

 whole course of the spine, may somewhat unload the congested vessels of the 

 part, and diminish the sufferings of the animal. They should be renewed as soon 

 as they become offensive, and the patient should be covered from the poll to 

 the tail with double or treble clothing. 



There is one kind of external application that has not been so much used, or so 

 highly valued as it deserves, — gentle friction with the hand over the course of the 

 spine, beginning with the slightest possible pressure and never increasing it much. 

 The horse is a little frightened at first, but he soon gets reconciled to it, and 

 when at the same time an opiate liniment is used, relief has been obtained to a 

 very marked degree. 



One thing should not be forgotten, namely, that a horse with locked jaw is 

 as hungry as when in health, and every possible contrivance should be adopted 

 to furnish him with that nutriment which will support him under his torture, 

 and possibly enable him to weather the storm. If a pail of good gruel is placed 

 within his reach, how will he nuzzle in it, and contrive to drink some of it 

 too !. If a thoroughly wet mash is placed before him in a pail, he will bury 

 his nose in it, and manage to extract no small portion of nutriment. By means 

 of a small horn, or a bottle with a very narrow neck, it will often be possible to 

 give him a small quantity of gruel ; but the flexible pipe that accompanies 

 Read's patent pump will render this of easier accomplishment, for the nutri- 

 ment may be administered without elevating the head of the horse, or inflicting 

 on him the extreme torture which used to accompany the act of drenching. 

 If the jaw is ever so closely clenched, the pipe may be introduced between the 

 tushes and the grinders, and carried tolerably far back into the mouth, and any 

 quantity of gruel or medicine introduced into the stomach. 



It will also be good practice to let a small portion of food be in the manger. 

 The horse will not at first be able to take up the slightest quantity, but he 

 will attempt to do so. Small portions may be placed between his grinders, and 

 they will presently drop from his mouth scarcely or at all masticated : but some 

 good will be done— there is the attempt to put the muscles of the jaw to their 

 proper use. On the following day he will succeed a little better, and make some 

 trifling advance towards breaking the chain of spasmodic action. Experience 



