DISEASES OF TITE BRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM. 73 
sy continued irritation and inanimation ; or it expires in tctrible 
sonvulsions. ‘Tetanus, indisputably, is a nervous affection, An 
injury to a small fiber of some nerve exten‘s to the origin of the 
aerve, when the brain becomes affected, and a discased 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- 
ticn of the spasms, from sheer exhaustion. The free use of the 
‘ancct 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, bat 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 tle mouth. Clysters assist the action of the pur- 
gatives; therefore aie 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- 
ares must be resorted to.” 
Contrast this with the following case: While in the city cf St. 
Louis, a short time ago, I was requested to visit a bay geldiag 
aged eight years, the property of Captain Sitva. 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 
and 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 circla 
