296 
THE USE OF HYDROCYANIC ACID AND 
not quite so great. Give three drachms of the hyosciamus in 
solution, with twelve drops of the hydrocyanic acid, and repeat 
the ointment. 
Slst . — The general symptoms about the same. Repeat the 
draught morning and night, with fifteen drops of the acid. 
January l.y£, 1839. — Bowels a little costive. Give eight 
drachms of aloes in solution, and continue the hyosciamus and 
prussic acid morning and night. 
It would be tedious to give an account of the daily symptoms 
and proceedings. The medicine was administered morning and 
night, and the bowels were kept in a somewhat relaxed state, until 
he began decidedly to amend, which was about the ninth day : the 
quantity of medicine was then gradually diminished. My patient 
w r as led out of his box on the twentieth day. He straddled a little in 
his gait ; but this gradually wore off, and he proceeded on his 
journey to the stud of his noble owner, at Melton Mowbray, on the 
twentieth day that he first came under my care. I may here mention, 
that the horse was on a journey from Berwickshire to Leicester- 
shire. He first refused his food at Newcastle-upon-Tyne ; and I 
did not see him until the fifth day from the time that the com- 
plaint had first manifested itself. 
Much light has been thrown upon this complaint by Mr. Kar- 
keek; and with his opinion of its primary seat I perfectly concur. 
Having become a disciple of Mr. Karkeek, I am of opinion that 
idiopathic tetanus is merely a consequence of another disease ; for 
if the bowels were not affected, and seriously too, why should con- 
stipation be such an invariable symptom 1 and when the bowels 
are once fairly opened, there is always a mitigation of symptoms. 
Although I did not observe any of those dropsical abdominal en- 
largements mentioned by Mr. Karkeek, yet I doubt not that, if I 
had adopted his mode of treatment, they might have been esta- 
blished. 
CONSULTATIONS— No. I. 
[The connexion between the veterinary preceptor and his pupil 
ceases not when the latter has gone far away, and settled him- 
self in practice. The former will ever feel interested in the 
welfare of the latter, and eagerly avail himself of every oppor- 
tunity to promote his interest ; the student will not forget the va- 
luable instructions and uniform kindness of his preceptor, and 
anxiously apply to him for advice in many a doubtful case of 
conduct or of practice. An intercourse will be established 
honourable to both, and recalling much of the pleasure of by- 
gone days. 
