1 6 CLINICAL VETERINARY MEDICINE AND SURGERY. 



Only in exceptional cases does the turbinated bone become hyper- 

 trophied in its anterior part, so as to become visible on opening the 

 wings of the nostril, but the swelling can often be felt with the finger ; 

 when, however, it is limited to the upper part of the turbinated bone it 

 can be detected only by a catheter, or by examination with the 

 rhino-laryngoscope, and in order to determine the character of the 

 new growth a portion of morbid tissue must be examined micro- 

 scopically. 



Although most cases of hypertrophy of the turbinated bones 

 result from chronic inflammation of the nasal mucous membrane, the 

 only surgical treatment which can be recommended and which proves 

 successful consists in ablation of the diseased bone. 



The operation may be performed in two ways. In the first, the 

 bone is removed through the nose with long powerful forceps or a 

 pointed hook. Hoyer, who used a hook, was obliged to make several 

 attempts in order to remove all the diseased bone. Bleeding was 

 trifling, and the animal recovered. 



The other operative method, recommended by Jessen, consists in 

 freely trephining the roof of the nasal cavity, making a large opening 

 through which the turbinated bone is removed. Ablation can then 

 be performed more methodically and completely, while if bleeding is 

 abundant it is more easily checked by cauterisation and plugging. 

 Jessen cured four animals by this method, which has succeeded equally 

 well in the hands of other practitioners. 



Whatever the technique employed, removal of the hypertrophied 

 bone does not always cure. In some cases, especially when of old 

 standing, fungous growths develop at the seat of operation, and in a 

 short time again obstruct the nasal cavity. 



New growths of varying character may develop on the turbinated 

 bones. In the horse the commonest are mucous or fibrous polypi, 

 myxomata, or fibromata, the evolution of which is usually slow. At 

 first the symptoms are those of chronic catarrh, with unilateral muco- 

 purulent discharge, sometimes streaked with blood. Later, respiration 

 is impeded (as in the preceding condition), inspiration especially 

 being more or less noisy. The animal frequently snorts, and as the 

 tumour increases the symptoms become more marked. One meets with 

 polypi originating from the base of one of the turbinated bones, or 

 from the ethmoid bone extending into the nasal cavity, generally along 

 the floor, or along the middle meatus, and pushing back the turbi- 

 nated bones, finally reaching almost to the nostrils. In other cases they 

 extend towards the pharynx and interfere with deglutition ; others, 



