IS TETANUS CONTAGIOUS ? 
163 
tumors about the size of a pea, which were fleshy in appearance 
and of a fibrous matter ! 
To my mind, these were either tubercles or fibrinous exudates 
remaining from a peritonitis. At page 559 is said : 6 ' Evidently 
the disease was one of the mucous and serous membranes, which 
would account for the nervous and debilitated condition of the 
animal. I differ with Mr. Sayre. The effects of the loco-plant 
are not what he describes. The weed produces purely the 
chronic effect of a poison on the brain and medulla. My conclusion 
is that we have to deal with an unknown medicinal agent, having 
narcotic and mydriatic properties. For better proof of my de¬ 
ductions, it is necessary to obtain the active principle of the plant 
by chemical extraction, which I have not the facilities to do. 
The prescription of Dr. Harding for locoed animals, on page 
559, I really cannot understand. It is not adapted to neutra¬ 
lize to‘effects of the plant, in view of the limited pathological 
knowledge we have of the disease. 
My facilities for scientific investigation in my position as 
veterinary surgeon of the army, are very limited, but the little I 
am able to glean I desire may not be lost to the profession. 
Therefore I will be happy to send specimens of the loco-pl^nt for 
experiments to those colleagues who might be willing and able to 
do such work. 
‘ IS TETANUS CONTAGIOUS? 
SOME RECENT DISCOVERIES IN THE PATHOLOGY OF THIS 
DISEASE. 
Reviewed by Roscoe Bell, D.V.S. 
Unlike many of the neuroses, tetanus is a disease which 
veterinarians are often solicited to treat, and it is one whose 
etiology has ever been a guess or an absolute blank in the mind 
of the practitioner. To most men who have had any experience 
with tetanus, (and who has not ?) the question conveyed in the 
caption of this article will cause an audible reply in the negative, 
their entire experience going to illustrate that the query is ridic¬ 
ulous. But recently the English periodicals—notably Dr. Flem¬ 
ing’s Veterinary Journal —have devoted much thought and space 
