444 
TETANUS SUCCESSFULLY TREATED WITH 
TOBACCO. 
By Mr. Thomas Twiston Davies. 
SHOULD you deem the following case worthy of insertion in 
your Periodical, it is at your service. 
Feb. 22, 1846, I was called upon to attend a light cart-horse, 
aged five, and in good condition. From the history of the case, 
it appeared that tetanic symptoms had existed for eight days 
previously, and, from his having been docked about three weeks 
before, I concluded it to be a case of traumatic tetanus. All the 
muscles of his body were in a state of great tetanic rigidity, with 
the exception of the masseter and temporal muscles ; their compa- 
rative freedom from spasm allowing the introduction of a small 
ball upon the point of a stick into his mouth. I excised the ex- 
treme cautal vertebra, bled him ad syncopem, exhibited an aloetic 
drench, and blistered the spine. 
23c?. — Pulse normal, breathing quieted. Let him have gum 
opii 3iij, gum camphor 3 ij, aquae Oss. bis die. Enema tabaci omni 
vespere. 
24 th . — Bowels freely acted upon by the aloes. Pulse 56, rather 
full — breathing disturbed — tetanic rigidity in statu quo. V.S. ad 
syncopem. Gum opii 3iv, gum camph. 3ii, aquae Oss. Continue 
enemata. 
This treatment was continued until March 1st, the tetanic ri- 
gidity continuing undiminished, when I determined upon trying the 
effect of the tobacco given in substance, the enemata not pro- 
ducing sufficient impression on the system. Accordingly, the fol- 
lowing was given twice a-day : — Fol. tabaci incis. 3 iij, pulv. 
hordei 3 j, aquae q. s., ut fiat bolus. 
After having taken three of these balls, a marked improvement 
was evident, and he continued progressing rapidly towards con- 
valescence. On the 6th March the balls were discontinued, the 
horse being convalescent. 
From the above case of traumatic tetanus successfully treated 
by tobacco, I would ask — Would not tobacco, hellebore, et hoc 
omne genus , be always preferable, as sedatives, to opium, in cases 
where it is desirable to reduce to quiet arterial action 1 
I am, Sir, 
Very respectfully, your’s, &c. 
Llanrwst, 16 July, 1846. 
