308 MR. youatt’s veterinary lectures. 
by a great deal. In proportion as it is ditlused over a larger 
surface, its effect seems to be weakened, and it sooner passes over 
that surface, and ceases to act. I must have the whole power 
of a drug concentrated for awhile on a particular spot, and 
then, by the too little appreciated influence of sympathy, its 
power conveyed to every part of the intestinal canal. It was long 
before I could comprehend or believe this. It has an appear¬ 
ance of being inconsistent with all our established notions of the 
action of medicines, but I am thoroughly convinced of it now. 
Mr. John Hinds describes a method of procuring temporary 
relaxation of the jaw. He tells us to place a piece of wood on 
the forehead of the horse, and to strike a smart blow upon it 
with another piece or a small mallet. The jaw will immediately 
be relaxed, and some substance may be placed between the teeth, 
to prevent their return to their former closeness. I confess that 
1 have never tried this plan. If it succeeds, there really is some 
good in Mr. John Hind’s book. 
French Notions of our Practice .—Hurtrel d’Arboval recom¬ 
mends opium as the main hope of the practitioner in the treat¬ 
ment of tetanus; but he says that ‘‘the French surgeons are 
in the habit of giving it in doses of only a few grains of the 
tincture or the extract, with decoctions of marshmallows or poppy- 
heads ; whereas the English, bolder but not more skilful, gave 
at a dose three ounces of tincture of opium with sulphuric ether, 
and brandy, and ale.” I do not know where the author of the 
Veterinary Dictionary picked up this precious intelligence—I do 
not think that either Clater, Knowlson, or even John Hinds him¬ 
self, would recommend this compound of spirit of wine, and ether, 
and brandy, and ale; but if we are more fortunate than our neigh¬ 
bours in the treatment of this disease, it is because our practice 
is bolder, and more skilful on that account. In the course of 
treating a case I have given twelve, fourteen ounces, and even a 
pound of crude opium to a horse, and succeeded at last; but I 
never gave the laudanum, or ether, or brandy, or ale : then I 
might have been characterized as bold, and it might very pro¬ 
perly have been added, “ but not skilful.” 
There is one mode of obtaining the desired effect of many 
drugs, in which the practice of our continental brethren deserves 
commendation and imitation,—I mean through the medium of 
the absorbents. If the cuticle is raised by a blister, opium or 
aloes spread on the abraded surface produce, I will not say 
their full effect, but a very considerable one. In many cases of 
tetanus this may be turned to very good account. 
