106 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



not hesitate. Your purpose is to make a hole in the windpipe siiffi- 

 ciently large to admit the tracheotomy tube. It is quickly manifested 

 when the windpipe is severed: the hot air rushes out, and when air 

 is taken in it is sucked in with a noise. A slight hemorrhage may 

 result (it never amounts to much) , which is easily controlled by wash- 

 ing the woimd with a sponge and cold water, but use care not to get 

 an}'' water in the windpipe. Do not neglect to instruct your assistant 

 to hold the head down immediately after the operation, so that the 

 neck will be in a horizontal line. This will prevent the blood from 

 getting into the windpipe and wdll allow it to drop directly on the 

 gi'ound. If 3^ou have the self-adjustable tube, it retains its place 

 in the wound without farther trouble after it is inserted. The other 

 kind requires to be secured in position by means of two tapes or 

 strings tied around the neck. After the hemorrhage is somewhat 

 abated, sponge the blood away and see that the tube is thoroughly 

 clean, then insert it, directing the tube downward toward the lungs. 



The immediate relief this operation affords is gratifying to behold. 

 The animal, a few minutes before on the verge of death from suffoca- 

 tion, emitting a loud wheezing sound with every breath, with hag- 

 gard countenance, body swaying, pawing, gasping, fighting for 

 breath, now breathes tranquilly, and may be in search of something 

 to eat. 



The tube should be removed once a day and cleaned with carbolic- 

 acid solution (1 to 20), and the discharge washed away from the 

 wound with a solution of carbolic acid, 1 part to 40 parts water. 

 Several times a day the hand should be held over the opening in the 

 tube to test the animal's ability to breathe through the nostrils, and 

 as soon as it is demonstrated that breathing can be performed in the 

 natural way the tube should be removed, the wound thoroughly 

 cleansed with carbolic-acid solution (1 to 40), and closed by in- 

 serting four or five stitches through the skin and muscle. Do not 

 include the cartilages of the windpipe in the stitches. Apply the 

 solution to the wound three or four times a day until healed. When 

 the tube is removed to clean it the lips of the wound may be pressed 

 together to ascertain whether or not the horse can breathe through 

 the larynx. The use of the tube should be discontinued as soon as 

 possible. 



It is true that tracheotomy tubes are seldom to be found on farms, 

 and especially when most urgently required. In such instances there 

 is nothing left to be done but, with a strong needle, pass a waxed end 

 or other strong string through each side of the wound, including the 

 cartilage of the windpipe, and keep the wound open by tying the 

 strings over the neck. 



During the time the tube is used the other treatment advised must 

 not be neglected. After a few days the discharge from the nostrils 



