NORTH OF SCOTLAND VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 685 
by the use of such agents as hydrocyanic acid, tinct. aconite, tinct. 
cannabis Indica, Calabar bean, &c., with or without cathartics. 
Above everything, quietness is essential, as the least noise will 
bring on a paroxysm in a tetanic patient. 
3rdly. Supporting the vital powers by sloppy and nutritious 
provision, such as gruel, boiled barley, carrots, &c. 
In concluding his essay, Mr. Duncan observed, “ I will now 
relate my own experience in the successful treatment of two 
tetanic patients. Perhaps it may be expected that I should give 
an account of some of my failures also, but, as you know, this 
would not be so agreeable. The history likewise of such cases 
would be too voluminous, for by this time you must be well-nigh 
weary both of me and the subject also. I would, however, 
crave your attention for a short time, this being the most prac- 
tical and important part of my subject. The first case I shall 
relate is that of a one-year-old colt, which some seven or eight 
years ago came under my care when suffering from tetanus as a 
sequel of castration. The operation had been performed by the 
use, in the ordinary manner, of the actual cautery. Healthy sup- 
puration followed, and in due time the swelling of the parts 
passed away ; in fact, the animal made what would be called an 
excellent recovery. Subsequently he was turned out to grass for 
the summer. In something less than three weeks from the 
date of the operation he became tetanic, and, as our President 
can testify, so completely that he had to be conveyed part 
of the way home on a sledge. The animal was put into slings, 
and an occasional dose of cathartic medicine given in the form of 
a ball from the tip of a piece of cane. Tinct. cannabis Indica 
was injected by means of a small syringe into the subcutaneous 
tissue. (Bear in mind that one third part of any medicine thus 
administered produces as much effect as an ordinary dose by the 
stomach.) Twice a day he was put under the influence of the 
drug, and from the first there was considerable relaxation of the 
muscles. In a few days continuous improvement set in, and in 
little more than a fortnight he was able to go out to graze ; but 
it was not until late in the summer that the peculiar gait, often 
seen as a result of tetanus, thoroughly left him. 
“ The second case occurred to a four-year-old farm mare. In 
this instance the disease arose from a prick in the foot while the 
mare was being shod. Tetanic symptoms showed themselves in 
about a fortnight from the time she received the wound, and, as 
the owner was perfectly aware of that which had occurred, I was 
immediately summoned. I found the patient very excitable; 
among other symptoms of the disease, the least noise would cause 
the membrana nictitans to protrude to such an extent as to cover 
the eye. 
xliv. 48 
