CHLOROFORM IN TETANUS. 
250 
and then slowly recovered. My friend left with the intention 
of exercising his well-known mechanical genius in the concep- 
tion of an appropriate instrument ; but owing to my leaving 
London immediately after, the experiments were never repeated. 
I had now all the materials for action, and only wanted an ap- 
propriate object, which has but lately been afforded me. 
March 1, 1851. — A bay hunter, fourteen years of age, was 
admitted into the College Infirmary, suffering under traumatic 
tetanus, traceable to a puncture received in the frog a fortnight 
since. The spasms were general but not extreme ; it therefore 
occurred to me to postpone injection into the veins until I had 
tested the milder course of exhibition by enemata. Chloro- 
form 5ss was thrown up every six hours. After the first dose 
a state of partial coma was induced, which continuous applica- 
tion perpetuated. The agent was continued till twenty ounces by 
measure had been consumed. In two days after admission, the 
patient could masticate freely, gradually progressed towards re- 
covery, and, beyond a little general stiffness, is now convales- 
cent. By no means relying on chloroform as a curative agent, 
I employed aloes sol., ext. belladonnae, and subsequently tonics, 
mineral and vegetable. 
The conclusions obviously deducible from this revew are : — 
That the application of chloroform to the disease of tetanus ex- 
cludes altogether inhalation of the vapour, so incapable of pro- 
ducing anaesthesia ; — that an animal may be safely and advanta- 
geously kept in an unconscious state, after anaesthesia has once 
resulted, for the extraordinary space of ten hours ; — that the pro- 
duction of insensibility may follow internal administration by 
the mouth; — that marked sedative effects characterise its intro- 
duction into the rectum, while the injection at once into the 
vascular system is followed by immediate coma, indicating the 
propriety of resorting to this mode of appliance in cases where 
exhibition by the mouth is impossible, and introduction into the 
rectum inefficient; — lastly, that it is necessary to view chloro- 
form as a powerful sedative and valuable relaxant to tetanic 
spasm, but to oppose exclusive reliance on its curative properties. 
Royal Agricultural College, 
April 14, 1851. 
