23 
TETANUS. 
By Mr, W. F. Karkeek, Truro, 
A BRAMBLE at the eye is larger than an oak at a distance; 
and thus every man is of importance in his own view, and ima¬ 
gines that he could communicate something of profit or pleasure 
by recounting the results of his individual experience. 
But the most remarkable occurrences in our practice are for¬ 
gotten if they are merely inserted in our case-books; and by not 
making public the results of our experience, much useful infor¬ 
mation is withheld from the world, since all agree that one fact 
is more valuable than volumes of theory. 
In the four following cases of idiopathic tetanus, which were 
successfully treated, or, to speak more correctly, that recovered, 
I may be vain enough to suppose that I am giving the profession 
something new, when, in fact, similar cases may have happened 
to many;—but how should I know this, unless those gentlemen 
favour the profession with the results of their experience ? 
On the disease in question much useful information has al¬ 
ready been elicited through the medium of The Veterinarian ; 
and I have not a doubt but that much more will be known, for 
I differ in toto from the late Mr. Abernethy, who was of opinion 
that Hippocrates knew as much concerning tetanus as is known 
at the present time. Tetanus was regarded by Hippocrates as 
certainly mortal: now, as we succeed sometimes in effecting 
cures, it is but just to conclude that some improvements have 
taken place since his day. 
CASE I. 
A bay hackney mare, seven years old, and expected to foal in 
about two months, was, when she was first discovered to be un¬ 
well, immediately taken into the stable by the proprietor, a 
farmer, and bled, clothed warmly, and about twelve ounces of 
castor oil administered to her. 
On account of the great difficulty that was experienced in 
drenching the animal, I was sent for the following evening, 
when I found the jaws nearly closed. I succeeded in giving 
her 3x of Barbadoes aloes in solution ; took away two gallons of 
blood, and applied a strong blister to the spine. 
The following day, 1 gave 3ij of aloes, and 3ij of powdered 
opium, mixed with a small quantity of water; and ordered her 
to be repeatedly clystered with thin gruel in the course of the 
day. 
'6d day .—The jaws as rigid as ever; the aloes had had no 
