‘241 
IDIOPATHIC TETANUS IN A YEARLING FILLY. 
Bjj Mr. G. Baker, V.S., Reigate. 
I AM induced to transmit the particulars of a case of idiopathic 
tetanus which occurred last week in the course of my practice, in 
which the tender age of my poor patient is, perhaps, the most re¬ 
markable feature. 
1 cannot boast of being able to point out any new method of 
treatment which will effectually remove the dreadful symptoms of 
this disease. I believe there is no disorder, with the exception of 
hydrophobia, in which our therapeutical agents are more circum¬ 
scribed and limited in their powers and actions, although, perhaps, 
in no malady has more opposite measures of treatment met with 
confiding advocates. 
I was requested to visit at Gatton Park, to see a favourite year¬ 
ling filly of Lord Monson’s that appeared very ill, and they thought 
would go blind. I accordingly went; and on looking at my poor 
little patient, soon recognized the sad symptoms of that direful 
enemy, tetanus; and, of course, the apprehension of blindness was 
occasioned by the action of the retractor muscle protruding the 
membrana nictitans over the globe of the eye. On seeking the 
cause, I found that the filly had been turned in a paddock with a 
mare and colt: it was certainly in a most injudicious and exposed 
situation, and a fine high quick hedge on its northern side had been 
cut dowm, b\ which it was rendered still more exposed to the in¬ 
clemency of the weather. It was clearly a case of idiopathic te¬ 
tanus, caused by the cold and humid condition of the surrounding 
atmosphere. On further prosecuting my inquiries of the man who 
had the charge of her, I heard that, the previous day, he had 
noticed her in the field rather dull, and a little off her feed; but 
merely considered it a slight cold, and gave her a warm bran mash, 
which, however, she refused. 
On the next morning she was standing alone in the middle of the 
field, with her head and neck stretched out, and the aforementioned 
protrusion of the haw, which induced him to think more seriously 
of the case, and he immediately sent off for me. I could but regret 
I had not been sent for the previous day; but the precursory 
symptoms, 1 have no doubt, were so slightly marked, that I could 
scarcely blame the man. 
But now the stiffness and inability to turn the head and neck, 
the rigidity of the jaws, the painful and imperfect attempts at mas¬ 
tication, the raised position and quivering state of the tail, were 
not to be mistaken, and decided at once the great danger of mv 
patient, and also the active and bold treatment required of me. 
