PRELIMINARY OPERATIONS 



the gag and back into the dog's mouth. Push the tube 

 into the pharynx and wait a little. The animal will make 

 swallowing movement and these help to direct the tube 

 into the esophagus. When the tube is safely started it 

 can be readily pushed down into the stomach. 



Cinttion. It not infrequently happens that the tub* 1 passes through the 

 larynx and into the trachea. If the drug be injected into the lungs the animal 

 will die in a few moments. This accident must be carefully avoided by using 

 great caution in getting the tube started far back in the dog's mouth. Also 

 when the drug is given pour a little of the solution into the funnel and wait 

 to see what results this has. Breathing sounds may sometimes be heard by 

 listening at the end of the inserted tube if it is in the lungs but these are un- 

 trustworthy as similar sounds are often heard when the tube is in the stomach. 



fc in. Hole 



Rubber tubmq 



Fig. 218. Mouth gag for dogs, cats or rabbits. Made of wood. 



Allow about ten or fifteen minutes for the drug to act. 

 If the stomach was filled with food the result will not be 

 the same as if the stomach was empty. The animal often 

 becomes very lively and playful at first, but soon gets weak 

 and unsteady, especially in the hind limbs. After a time 

 it lies down and becomes drowsy or even unconscious. If 

 the dose was too small give a second small amount after 

 fifteen minutes. If the first dose was large enough (and 

 too marked depression should be carefully avoided) then 

 give a little ether to bring on complete anesthesia and ar- 

 ia nge the animal for blood-pressure, respiratory and on- 

 cometer (kidney, spleen or intestinal loop) tracings. Iso- 

 late both vagi and place loose ligatures around them. It 

 may be necessary to give small amounts of ether to keep 

 the anesthesia sufficiently deep at least in the beginning 



