Tetanus, A Case

Mrs. S. stepped on a rusty nail and did not have the wound dressed for three days, when it began to be very painful. The wound was then opened, thoroughly cleansed and kept open. Seven days from the date of injury, tetanus developed. I gave the patient three thousand units of antitetanic serum, and injected hypodermically, ten drops each of gelsemium, carbolic acid and water every six hours. The wound was treated every six hours, with the peroxide of hydrogen and a solution of iodine.

In twenty-four hours there was an apparent improvement which gradually continued for five days, when the patient was without any symptoms, except a slight stiffness of the Jaws, which also gradually disappeared.

It is unfortunate that I am unable to state whether the good results in this case were due to the injection of serum or to the use of the medicines above named hypodermically as I used them both at the same time, but I am inclined to give a large share of the credit to the hypodermic medication. My faith is based upon the fact that I have lost two cases, previously, in which the serum was used freely, alone, without the gelsemium and carbolic acid injection. As an external application, I think more favorably of a solution of iodine, than of the ordinary antiseptic.

J. R. BOLLES, PH. G., M. D.

Ellingwood's Therapeutist, Vol. 2, 1908, was edited by Finley Ellingwood M.D.