398 
TWELVE CASES OF TETANUS. 
cold and wet, and I attributed the disease to exposure to 
cold. All the well-marked symptoms of tetanus were 
present when I first saw him. I had him removed to a nice 
quiet box, the light of which I partially excluded (I think 
this is of much consequence during the first week of the 
malady) by hanging sacks over the windows. . 
I gave Aloes Barb. 3vij in solution, it being possible to open 
the jaws about an inch. I then ordered 5ss doses of Scheele’s 
prussic acid to be given night and morning. I had the ad- 
vantage of a consultation, the second day of this case, with 
the late lamented Mr. Lawson, of Manchester, who approved 
of the treatment, but said that it would have been as well 
had I omitted the physic (it never operated). He also left 
me an elastic injecting apparatus, so that the prussic acid 
might be quietly given through it. This instrument was 
used two or three times ; but it alarmed the animal so much, 
catching and introducing this thing, that I had to think of a 
better plan. This, I think, I found, and have continued it 
in such cases since. It is to mix the medicine in a small 
quantity (say a pint) of any bland fluid (barley boiled to a 
thin jelly), in a soup-plate, or any other convenient clean 
dish, and present it to the animal ; they will always suck it 
up. This I offer before the ordinary mash has been given, 
and insist upon them taking it before they get anything else. 
I give as much well-boiled barley, corn, linseed, carrots, &c., 
either separately or mixed, according to the state of the 
bowels, as they will take. I never give bran. They can 
dispose of a great quantity, if suitably prepared, by sucking 
it up. 
I also keep a bit of nice fresh hay in a convenient place, 
and the same with a pail of water. If necessary, I put on 
cloths and bandages ; but they they are never disturbed 
afterwards till undoubted amendment takes place. Such 
was the treatment in this case, and with slight modification 
it has been adopted in all the cases I am about to recount, 
only I have never given any physic since. Attention to 
general comfort, quietness, and cleanliness, is strictly en- 
joined. I have used sawdust, straw, and chopped straw, 
for bedding the box. I prefer the latter. I continue the 
prussic acid in doses varying from fifteen drops to a fluid 
drachm twice a day, until the muscular rigidity gives way, the 
average period] being about a month before removal or any 
out-door exercise is allowed. 
Case 2. Traumatic tetanus ; recovered . — A three-year-old 
heifer, in calf, the property of the same gentleman, had been 
