TETANUS. 
575 
attacks of either disease, but also in arresting it after it has 
already set in. This surely is suggestive and encourag¬ 
ing. Though the nature of the material used by Behring 
and Ketasito has not yet been published, it is strongly proba¬ 
ble that it is of animal origin, and perhaps bears relationship 
to the already far famed anti-tubercular lymph given to the 
world from the same laboratory. From the various articles 
we were able to get on this subject, we believe we are safe in 
arriving at the following conclusions: 
First, tetanus is a specific infectious disease. Second, out¬ 
side of the diseased organism the specific germ may develop 
in the soil. Third, in addition it may exist at different points, 
on the coats of horses or other animals, in the dust of hay, 
surgeons’ instruments, etc. Fourth, these different situations 
(soil, dust, horse, etc.) constitute a closed cycle, from any ele¬ 
ment of which the bacillus may constantly or indefinitely 
emigrate, so that it is not possible to designate the point of 
initial departure. Fifth, the horse plays in this transmission 
no gieatei role than cattle in the propagation of tuberculosis. 
As to the ti eatment of tetanus we have nothing particu¬ 
larly new to offer. Unfortunately the disease is well under 
way before a veterinarian is called. In acute tetanus from 
traumatic injury, local treatment, to be of any service, must 
be soon after the injury has been inflicted, before the symp¬ 
toms have become marked. Poultices and fomentation 
should be applied to the injured part. I can see no benefit 
to be derived from such heroic treatment as ripping open a 
cicatrix, burning a hole into a horse’s foot, etc., etc., but be¬ 
lieve we should aim to relieve irritation that has induced the 
tetanic condition so far as possible, and support the patient’s 
strength so as to enable him to hold up against the disease. 
Nothing has been more unsatisfactory to me than the treat¬ 
ment of the acute form of traumatic tetanus. I have yet to 
learn the di ug or combination of drugs that has any merit as 
a curative agent. Many serve as palliatives, and afford some 
temporary relief to the patient, and much may be done by the 
surgeon by removing all sources of external irritation to mit¬ 
igate his sufferings. In the acute form, I have not found 
