COMMON COMMUNICABLE DISEASES. 



muscular system. The spasms increase in 



rapidity and severity until they are kept up 



almost continuously. (The spasms seen in 



tetanus are somewhat similar to the spasms 



from strychnia poisoning.) Eventually the ^6*^53^11°* 



jaws become tightly clenched, the back is bowed 



and the patient is frequently found to rest only 



on the back of his head and his heels, the rest 



of the body arching upward from the bed. 



Death commonly occurs from exhaustion. The 



majority of cases prove fatal. 



Medicines seem to have no effect in arresting ' 

 the progress of tetanus. Chloroform and Medicines 

 opiates are used by many physicians for the 

 temporary relief they give from the violence of 

 the spasms. In recent years the antitoxin 

 treatment has saved some lives. In order to 

 be of any marked value it must be administered 

 early in the case. 



The nurse is instructed to keep the patient's Management 

 room darkened and to guard him from all dis- Tetanus, 

 turbances. Noises are said to aggravate the 

 spasms, and she is cautioned to keep him quiet. 

 He should be watched very closely and must 

 not be left alone a minute. Strenuous efforts 

 to give him nourishment must be made. As 

 the jaws are tightly clenched, recourse is had to 

 nutrient enemata. "Nose feeding" is not 

 recommended by the best authorities, as it is 



87 



