ON IDIOPATHIC TETANUS. 
676 
and irregular; and the countenance wild and expressive of ex¬ 
treme agony. I ordered the suffering animal to be placed in a 
loose box ; administered, with great difficulty, about seven or 
eight drachms of Barbadoes aloes in solution ; the jaws being 
nearly closed, and the spasms at that period very violent. After¬ 
wards sixteen pounds of blood were taken, and a strong blister 
applied to the sides of the chest, and over the whole surface of 
the abdominal viscera"^. 
September 2.—The bleeding repeated, and as the horse had 
been disturbed by persons visiting him in the course of the pre¬ 
ceding day, strict orders were given that he should be kept 
quiet, and free from intrusion. 
—The bowels not being yet acted on, ordered croton oil gtt. 
XX, and V.S. Ibxij. 
Ath. —The spasms are not so violent, the respiration is easier, 
and the pulse ranging from forty-five to sixty. The bowels are 
still confined. Ordered a fresh blister to be applied. 
bth .—The symptoms are improved, and a longer interval is ob¬ 
served between the spasms. The animal appears inclined to eat, 
and bran and flour mixed with water are given, which he 
greedily sucks between his teeth. 
Qth .—Purging commenced about the middle of the day ; the 
discharge has an unhealthy and slimy appearance, and smells 
very offensively. 
7th. —The jaws are less rigid; the spasms are considerably 
abated; the appetite is good, and the animal ate some cut 
grass : ordered a couple of baskets full to be given in the course 
of the day. 
Sth. —The animal does not appear so well as on the preceding 
day; the secretions appear to be stopped, no dung having been 
discharged during the night; the spasms are also returned. 
Ordered another blister to be applied, the blistered surface 
having been previously well bathed with hot water. I am de¬ 
termined not to give any purgative, but to try the effect of the 
blister only. 
9M.—The blister acted well; the animal appears considerably 
better; the natural secretions have returned, for during the day 
copious discharges of faeces took place. 
10^/i.—The horse is considerably better ; the full action of the 
bowels appears to be restored. 
Wth. —The tetanic symptoms are fast removing; some bruised 
oats are ordered to be given wdth the bran. 
* If another case should occur, I should likewise insert a rowel in tlie 
chest. 
