General Diseases, 359 



and harsh words will generally induce violent spasmodic 

 seizures, and hasten an agonising death. 



With regard to constitutional remedies, Fleming's tinc- 

 ture of aconite stands pre-eminent. Dose, one to two 

 minims every two or three hours. An aperient at the 

 onset is, if its administration is possible, very advisable ; 

 but it should be borne in mind that an attempt to give a 

 draught to a tetanic animal is, as a rule, creative of that 

 alarm and severe spasms at all times to be avoided. Here, 

 then, is the benefit of aconite. If the patient is able to lap, 

 the drug may be dropped in a little milk or water, without 

 impregnating it with any objectionable taste. When the • 

 jaws are locked, and fluids cannot with safety be poured 

 between the cheek and teeth, the same quantity may be 

 given in an enema. 



Counter-irritation to the spine is at times attended 

 (chiefly in protracted cases) with benefit. Baths, warm or 

 cold, are injudicious and useless. 



If the disease is caused by a wound, this should at the 

 same time be carefully attended to. It should be thoroughly 

 examined to see whether any foreign or irritating matter is 

 present ; if there is, it must be at once removed. When 

 the wound is very painful, sedative poultices afford great 

 relief; otherwise dressing with lunar caustic, and after- 

 wards inducing healthy suppuration, is the treatment I 

 recommend. In traumatic tetanus, when the wound 

 assumes a healthy condition, the constitutional symptoms 

 usually improve with it. 



The diet should be nourishing, easy of deglutition and 

 digestion — as milk, broth, beef-tea, and such like. These 

 may be given in the form of enemas, if necessary. 



CRAMP. 

 Dogs subjected to violent exercise, and afterwards ex- 

 posed to cold, or kennelled in cold and damp habitations, 

 are not unfrequently affected with cramp. The same con- 



