DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. 241 
one-half grain doses, subcutaneously, has given as much satisfaction 
as any other drug. After purging the animal the treatment is mostly 
symptomatic. Intestinal disinfectants, particularly calomel, salol, 
and salicylic acid, have been recommended, and mild, antiseptic 
mouth washes are advisable. Antipyretics are of doubtful value, as 
better results are obtained, if the temperature is high, by copious 
cold-water injections. An ice pack applied to the head is beneficial 
in case of marked psychic disturbance. One-ounce doses of chloral 
hydrate per rectum should be given if the patient is violent or if 
muscular spasms are severe. If the temperature becomes subnormal, 
the animal should be warmly blanketed, and if much weakness is 
shown this should be combated with stimulants, such as strychnin, 
camphor, alcohol, atropin, or aromatic spirits of ammonia. Early 
in the disease urotropin (hexamethylenamin) in doses of 25 grains, 
dissolved in water and given by the mouth every two hours, ap- 
peared to have been responsible for the recovery of some cases of 
the malady. During convalescence tonic treatment is indicated. 
Hygienic measures needful——Whenever this disease appears in a- 
stable all the animals should be removed as soon as possible. They 
should be provided with clean, well-ventilated, and well-drained 
stables, and each animal should receive a laxative and be fed feed 
and given water from a new, clean source. The abandoned stable 
should be thoroughly cleansed from all waste matters, receive a coat 
of whitewash containing 4 ounces of carbolic acid to the gallon of 
water and should have time to dry thoroughly before the horses are 
replaced. A complete change of feed is of the very greatest im- 
portance on account of the belief that the cause resides in diseased 
grain, hay, and grass. 
TETANUS, OR LOCKJAW. 
This disease is characterized by spasms affecting the muscles of 
the face, neck, body, and limbs and of all muscles supplied by the 
cerebrospinal nerves. The spasms or muscular contractions are rigid 
and persistent, yet mixed with occasional more intense contractions 
of convulsive violence. 
Causes.—This disease is caused by a bacillus that is often found in 
the soil, in manure, and in dust. This germ forms spores at the end 
of the organism and grows only in the absence of oxygen. It pro- 
duces a powerful nerve poison, which causes the symptoms of tetanus. 
The germ itself multiplies at the point where it is introduced, but its 
poison is absorbed and is carried by the blood to all parts of the body, 
and. thus the nervous system is poisoned. Deep wounds infected by 
this germ are more dangerous than superficial wounds, because in 
them the germ is more remote from the oxygen of the air. Hence, 
36444°—16——16 
