GENERAL DISEASES. 335 



susceptibility to excitement is so intense, that the presence 

 of a stranger, rough handling, or loud and harsh words will 

 generally induce violent spasmodic seizures, and hasten an 

 agonizing death. 



With regard to constitutional remedies, Fleming's tincture 

 of aconite stands pre-eminent. Dose, one-two minims 

 every two or three hours. An aperient at the onset is, if its 

 administration is possible, very advisable ; but it should be 

 borne in mind that an attempt to give a draught to a tetanic 

 animal is, as a rule, creative of that alarm and severe spasms 

 at all times to be avoided. Here, then, is the benefit of acon- 

 ite. If the patient is able to lap, the drug may be dropped in 

 a little milk or water, without impregnating it with any objec- 

 tionable taste. When the jaws are locked, and fluids cannot 

 with safety be poured between the cheek and teeth, the same 

 quantity may be given in an enema. 



Counter-irritation to the spine is at times attended (chiefly 

 in protracted cases) with benefit. Baths, warm or cold, are 

 injudicious and useless. 



If the disease is caused by a wound, this should at the 

 same time be carefully attended to. It should be thoronghly 

 examined, to see whether any foreign or irritating matter is 

 present ; if there is, it must be at once removed. When the 

 wound is very painful, sedative poultices- afford great relief ; 

 otherwise dressing with lunar caustic, and afterwards inducing 

 healthy suppurations is the treatment I recommend. lii 

 traumatic tetanus, when the wound assumes a healthy con- 

 dition, the constitutional symptoms usually improve with it. 



The diet should be nourishing, easy of deglutition and di- 

 gestion — as milk, broth, beef-tea, and such like. These may 

 be given in the form of enemas, if necessary. 



CRAMP. 



Dogs subjected to violent exercises, and afterwards ex- 

 posed to cold, or kennelled in cold and damp habitations, are 



