100 STRANGLES. 



If ordinary food, in any form in which it may be offered, is 

 persistently refused, a trial ought to be made of such as con- 

 tain nutritive material more concentrated. Milk, when allowed, 

 is sometimes drunk freely; and if so, may be mixed with 

 good beef tea, or ale. And if absolutely needful to forcibly 

 feed for a time, raw eggs whipped up and mixed with milk, 

 brandy, wine, or good ale, are probably the most convenient 

 and desirable form in which to administer the nourishment ; 

 and these are always better given in moderate quantities and 

 often, than in larger quantities and at longer intervals. 



When from the local inflammation and its effects on the 

 organs and structures in the upper passages, particularly the 

 larynx, the function of respiration is impeded, and there is a 

 danger of suffocation, it may be needful to have recourse to 

 surgical interference to obviate such untoward results. 



The operation of tracheotomy, although a purely surgical 

 matter, may appropriately be glanced at in connection with 

 the treatment of strangles. 



I am aware that some have condemned the operation as in 

 reality of no ultimate use or benefit in this disease, even when 

 asphyxia is imminent, asserting that the operation is likely to 

 be productive of as unfavourable results as allowing the 

 disease to take its course. Such, however, has not been my 

 experience, as I am satisfied that m many instances the 

 timely performance of the operation has saved the hfe of the 

 animal ; nor has the operation in these instances left any bad 

 results. 



The performance of the operation is not to be advised so 

 long as there is a probabiUty that it may be dispensed with. 

 Hot-water applications, poultices, and steaming of the head 

 ought to be persevered in for some hours continuously ; and if 

 the dyspnoea should increase, rendermg it apparent that 

 suffocation is impending, it will then become needful to give 

 the relief so much needed by opening the windpipe. This 

 opening of the great air-tube is of itseK a simple operation, 

 more judgment being required to determine when it ought 

 to be done than skill needed in the actual performance. In 

 addition to the simple opening of the tube, it is generally 

 considered necessary to pass through the opening made in the 

 trachea a variously formed metal tube by which communica- 



