420 DISEASES INVOLVING NERVOUS SYSTEM 



should be used only when absolutely necessary to keep the 

 animal on its feet and where the temperament of the patient 

 permits of their use. If there is difBculty in defecation the 

 feces may be removed from the rectum. If the bladder is 

 distended it should be emptied best by careful pressure. 

 While theoretically the primary wound should be curetted 

 and disinfected, in the horse this is often a difficult procedure. 

 Furthermore it is not always possible to find the wound. 



Medical. — ^Internal medication is of little avail. On 

 account of the danger of drenching, drugs should be given as 

 far as possible with the food and water. To keep the bowels 

 open, salts may be administered. Opiates such as morphin, 

 chloral hydrate and the bromides afford only temporary relief. 

 Inhalations of chloroform and ether just before a meal 

 undoubtedly assist mastication by temporarily relieving the 

 trismus. 



Subcutaneous and intramuscular injections of phenol solu- 

 tions are highly recommended by some authorities. Sub- 

 cutaneously 1 ounce of a 2 per cent, solution or 2 drams of a 

 10 per cent, solution of phenol in glycerin may be adminis- 

 tered twice daily. One dram of a 5 per cent, solution may be 

 injected into the muscles of the neck and shoulders. The 

 injection may be repeated once every three hoiws for the first 

 thirty-six hours. 



Tetanus Antitoxin. — ^The administration of tetanus anti- 

 toxin, while it confers temporary immunity against the dis- 

 ease, has not proved valuable as a ciu-ative agent. It is most 

 effective when used early and in subacute cases. As a cura- 

 tive agent 3000 to 20,000 units should be given. This amount 

 may be split into several doses : For instance, 20 c.c. may be 

 used for the first dose followed by 15 to 20 c.c. in five to ten 

 hours. 



Prevention. — ^Tetanus may be prevented by thoroughly dis- 

 infecting all fresh wounds and by the use of small doses of 

 antitoxin. In infected districts the use of antitoxin to pro- 

 duce immunity prior to important surgical operations, treat- 

 ment of fresh wounds (especially punctured feet in horses, 

 castrations, etc.) has proved extremely valuable. In coal 

 mines, where general tetanus commonly follows foot injuries, 



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