forki(;n body in the a<:soPHAGUS. 345 



about three and a half inches in length passing downwards and back- 

 wards, following the direction of the levator humeri muscle ; the 

 other upwards and forwards, and towards the opposite (nearj side of 

 the neck. As the finger penetrated more deeply the rough broken 

 edges of a tracheal ring could be felt, and during inspiration and ex- 

 piration air rushed in or was forced out, producing a loud bubbling 

 sound. The tissues were extensively bruised, and the skin torn away 

 from subjacent structures for a considerable distance. The wound on 

 the near side of the neck was three to four inches below the angle of the 

 jaw, and measured two and a half inches by half an inch. It communi- 

 cated with that of the opposite side by a channel running downwards 

 and backwards, so that by standing in front of the animal and gently 

 passing the forefingers in from either side they could be caused to 

 meet just in front of the trachea. 



Treatment. — The wounds were thoroughly explored and cleansed, 

 care being taken to avoid the use of much fiuid which might have 

 passed into the trachea. To facilitate the freest possible drainage no 

 stitches were inserted. The parts were cautiously injected three times 

 daily with 5 per cent. " Sanitas " solution, care being taken to reach 

 the bottom, and the neighbourhood of the wounds was carefully 

 cleansed. Low diet. 



On the 24th July the wounds and surrounding parts were greatly 

 swollen, but discharge was not offensive. Until the 2gth the wounds 

 and neighbouring parts were much swollen, but on that date swelling 

 began to subside. There was slight fever and rather high pulse rate 

 for the first few days, but this soon subsided. Appetite was preserved 

 throughout. 



On the 8th August both wounds had closed and were granulating 

 freely. A week later the horse returned to work. A year afterwards 

 the horse showed very slight traces of the accident, and breathing 

 was normal. 



Mr. Jno. A. W. Dollar's case, Veterinarian, 1896, p. 672. 



FOREIGN BODY IN THE (ESOPHAGUS. 



50. A seven-year-old entire horse, left in hospital on the i8th 

 February, 1897. 



When being taken out of harness this horse passed near a heap of 

 sliced carrots, and picking up a few pieces hastily swallowed them. 

 Almost immediately it showed grave disturbance, violent excitement, 

 efforts to swallow, and abundant salivation. It was brought to hospital 

 during the evening. 



The animal made continued attempts to swallow. A little saliva 

 ran from the mouth ; the head was slightly extended on the neck ; 

 respiration was increased, and cough frequent. In the jugular furrow 

 a little below the larynx was a well-defined swelling. Palpation left 

 no doubt as to the nature of the condition, viz. obstruction of the 

 oesophagus. 



The animal was cast on the table and chloroform administered. 

 The jaws were opened with a gag, and the first portion of the oesophagus 

 examined. No foreign body could be detected. Taxis was employed, 



