576 
J. F. WINCHESTER. 
slinging- a more favorable condition for him to withstand the 
torture or lessen the spasms than out of it. A cathartic of 
aloes is recommended by all veterinary writers, but I can’t 
say that 1 believe it to be of any particular merit, because 
while it clears the bowels, it is to a certain extent a depletive. 
I am of the opinion that when the progress of the disease 
reaches that state where spasm of the involuntary muscles is 
observed, that the case is hopeless. Neither do I believe any- 
thing is accomplished by the attempted introduction of food 
per rectum. 
Nearly all the drugs of the pharmacopoeia have been advo¬ 
cated and tried for tetanus, but I am of the opinion that in 
the sub-acute or chronic form (the only form admitting of 
treatment) more may be accomplished by simple than specific 
treatment. Although I generally prescribe gelseninum and 
cannabis indica, alternating with large doses of Fowler’s solu¬ 
tion of arsenic, I am firmly of the belief that simple treatment 
is the much more rational method to employ, rather than the 
vain hope of finding a specific, to be constantly recurring to 
antispasmodics and sedatives, which repeated experience has 
proven to be useless as curative agents. 
Experiments have been made and nitrate of silver has been 
found to be a powerful agent in the destruction of the bacillus 
of tetanus, hence its therapeutic value in treating wounds 
where there is a possibility of tetanus following. Dr. Sar- 
mani recommends iodoform as a wound dressing in this dis¬ 
ease, claiming that it neutralizes perfectly the poison of 
tetanus. 
FOUR CASES FROM A NOTE-BOOK, 
By J. F. Winchester, D.V.S., Lawrence, Mass. 
(Paper read before the Massachusetts Veterinary Association, Oct. 28th, 1891). 
- 
PERITONITIS AND DEATH AS A RESULT OF RUPTURE OF THE 
EXTERNAL COAT OF THE STOMACH. 
History. —Animal sick all night with colic. Called to see 
the horse in morning ; found animal down, pulseless, cold 
