Tetanus Treated by Rest.

Otago Witness, Issue 1834, 14 January 1887, Page 35

Tetanus Treated by Rest.

Dr De Renzi states, in the Rivista Clinica, that by treating patients with traumatic tetanus by means of perfect rest, he 'has been able to restore four out of five to health ; whereas when treated in Other ways these patients usually die in two or three days, He places the cases in a special room, where absolute silence reigns. Even in the passages leading to it, aud in the neighbouring wards, care is taken to lay down carpets' so that no sound shall penetrate the tetanus ward. The door of the latter is, of course, well oiled, so as to open and shut noiselessly, and the patient's ears are stuffed with cotton wool, he himselt being strictly enjoined not to make the .■> lightest noise. He must, of course, be iVd. This has generally been considered impopsrblr-, the teeth hein'fc flinched and the spasmodic 'contraction being increased by attempt-* to maHicfUe. The obstacle may, however, he easily overcome: by parting the jaws and introducing liquid food, swallowing is accomplished without difliculty. This method of treating traumatic tetanus bns been tried with success by several Italian practitioners— Dns I'isiHii, Maragliano, Ria, &<•.