PRINCIPLES OF VETERINARY SURGERY 489 



the treatment of tetanus. J. Courmont and Doyon have 

 shown that the .subcutajjieous injections of carboHc acid 

 completely fail against experimental tetanus. 



All of these medical expedients are credited v^nth suc- 

 cesses, but none are obligatory. The results obtained de- 

 pend upon the form of the disease rather than apon the 

 medicines administered. When used, they may as well be 

 forgotten. 



The therapeutics of tetanus is completed by special hy- 

 gienic precautions which are applicable to every case. These 

 are, — rest and absolute isolation of the suffering animal. 

 The patient must be kept in a stable that is shaded, quiet, 

 silent and rather warm, with a uniform temperature, with 

 the purpose of avoiding any excitement that may lead to 

 convulsive fits. The food should consist of liquid nourish- 

 ment that is light and easily digested. If the trismus is in- 

 tense, alimentary enemata are recommended. Light purges 

 should be given to prevent constipation. This course of 

 treatment limits the contractions and limits the paroxysms 

 and general convulsions. It prolongs the patient's life. 



It must be remembered that the lingering cases are the 



curable ones. 



ANNOTATION. 



In acute tetanus treatment is futile while in the extremely chronic va- 

 riety it is unnecessary. Chronic tetanus will recover spontaneously under 

 sensible stable attention as regards proper dieting, sanitation, etc. It is the 

 sub-acute variety that calls for special therapeutic, hygienic, antitoxic, and 

 surgical intervention, which, although not always successful, will often guide 

 a seemingly fatal case toward recovery. A course of treatment, based upon 

 what is now known about the pathological state of a tetanic subject, and 

 upon the good results obtained from its application to a large number of 

 cases, is as follows: 



1st. At the very onset of the symptoms, or as soon as the subject is 

 submitted for treatment, unless the symptoms are well advanced, the patient 

 ii placed in an appropriate position for the disinfection of the wound. The 

 disinfection is either mechanical or medicinal, according to the location and 

 character of the trauma. If the operation will be long and painful, the pa- 

 tient is placed on the operating table and anaesthetized with chloroform. 

 The wound is opened, drained, irrigated and curetted, laid bare, extirpated 



