PECULIAR TO nOESES. 105 



Gpeeation fob Stone in the Bladder. — This operation, known 

 as lithotomy, is usually performed on the male by making an incision 

 into the urethra. We first introduce a whalebone staff or urethral 

 catheter in the ordinary way by the penis ; when the point of it can 

 be felt, just beneath the lower margui of the anus, an incision is 

 made right into the urethra ; this opening must be enlarged so as to 

 admit the lith9tomy forceps, and allow the stone to be extracted ; 

 the operator now introduces the forceps into the bladder, seizes the 

 stone and extracts it } the incision is then brought together by a few 

 stitches. 



Tracheotomy. — Tracheotomy consists in making an incision into 

 the windpipe ; the place selected for the operation is from seven to 

 ten inches beneath the throat. In performing the operation an in- 

 cision is to be made through the skin right down upon the windpipe, 

 then slit open the windpipe to the extent of two inches, and insert 

 the tracheotomy tube ; should the instrument not be at hand, insert 

 a piece of India rubber tubing until a bent tube can be obtained. 

 Some surgeons prefer to dissect a cii'cular piece of cartilage, wliich 

 must correspond to the calibre of the tube. I have perlbrmed in 

 both ways and have no preference. 



It is necessary to perform the operation when the danger of suf- 

 focation becomes imminent, either from the presence of tumors in 

 strangles, obstructions within the larynx, spasm of the larynx, 

 and sometimes when an unswallowed substance remains in the 

 oesophagus and threatens to choke the animal; although in the 

 latter case it may be more pi-udent to open the oesophagus, or 

 gullet. 



CEsophagotomy. — This operation consists of an incision through 

 the skin and gullet, on the left side of the neck. It is usually per-- 

 formed when a large quantity of food obtains a lodgment in the 

 oesophagus. The mode is to operate, or cut down, upon the centre 

 of the impacted food and remove it; after sponging the parts with 

 warm water, bring the edges together by means of sutures, then 

 wipe the parts dry, sprinkle with flour, and dress with collodion. 



After an operation of this kind, the patient should be sparuigly 

 fed on sloppy food. 



Neurotomy. — This operation consists in a di\asion of the sentient 

 nerves of the foot ; there are two modes practiced in performing it. 

 In one case the metacarpal nerves above the fetlock are divided — 

 this is called the high operation ; in the other, the nerves beneath 

 the fetlock are the seat of the incision and division, and this is called 

 the low operation, which latter I believe is the most rational one. 



In performing this operation, we cast the horse and secure him ; 

 one fore leg at a time is then released from the hobble, a welling or 

 small rope is then placed around the hoof, and firmly held by an 

 assistant. The nerve lies in close proximity with the perforatus tendon, 

 which is a sui-e guide to its locality. The hair being shaved off at 

 the precise spot, an incision through the skin and cellular tissue ex- 

 poses the blood vessels and nerve ; the latter may be known by its 

 whiteness. A needle or bistoury is then passed under the nerve, 



