TRAUMATIC TETANUS. 
193 
but small, and has still a cliord-like feel. In other respects 
much the same. His appetite holds better than one might ex¬ 
pect. 
16th. The farrier reported that he had continued without any 
unfavourable change until yesterday afternoon, when he expe¬ 
rienced a very sudden and alarming attack resembling the 
symptoms of gripes, in which paroxysm he breathed so violent¬ 
ly, sweated so profusely, and appeared altogether in such ex¬ 
treme agony that the man thought it would have terminated in 
his death : purgation however fortunately came on during the 
struggle, shortly after which the symptoms of pain subsided, 
and to-day I find all is again restored to tranquillity. The far¬ 
rier ascribes this attack to constipated bowels, which had con¬ 
tinued unrelieved for two days notwithstanding he had given 
(according-to my direction) an ounce of aloes daily, and at in¬ 
tervals administered copious injections. The opium has never 
been discontinued. Keep the bowels open ; and repeat the 
blister to the spine. 
17th. In all respects improved. The jaws admit of wider 
distraction with the hand ; he moves with less rigidity and irk¬ 
someness ; his appetite is better ; the pulse fuller and softer, 
though undiminished in frequency; the eye less irritable, the 
haw less protruded. Continue the' opium and injections. 
20th. Progressively recovering. 
24th. So much better that I deemed it unnecessary to con¬ 
tinue the opium : he has taken altogether ten ounces of the solid 
gum. 
27th. He now eats his full ration of provender ; has been led 
out for ten minutes to-day; moves with more facility and free¬ 
dom than might have been expected. 
Jan. 3, 1828. Naturally spirited and playful when in health 
he showed some gambols during his exercise to-day. His jaws 
also appear to have almost regained their liberty; for he eats 
both hay and- corn without any pain and with but trifling in¬ 
convenience. 
From this time he continued so rapidly to mend that in the 
seventh week from his tetanic attack he once more returned 
to his duty. 
No member of the profession, I should imagine, is unac¬ 
quainted with Mr. Wilkinson’s work on Tetanus : this is a case 
which may be regarded as giving additional interest to^ that 
gentleman’s observations. 
William Percivall. 
^ , VoL. I.—No. 6. 
Y 
