GENERAL ANAESTHESIA. 53 



a perfectly safe anaesthetic for the horse, and though individual 

 animals show special susceptibility to its action, yet in general the 

 danger is infinitely less than was formerly imagined. 



Fatal issues result either from asphyxia or syncope. 



Asphyxia usually occurs during the period of excitation, especially 

 if some closed muzzle like the Carlisle muzzle or its modifications be 

 used; first breathing stops, and after a short interval the heart's 

 action fails. 



Asphyxia may also happen towards the end of the ansesthetic 

 period if administration has been pushed far and is suddenly checked. 

 In such case the sides of the chest, face, or lips should be smartly 

 struck with the hand or a wet towel to provoke reflexes -and 

 restore respiration. \\^hen arrest continues for an appreciable 

 period (the writer has timed arrests of thirty to forty-five seconds), 

 artificial respiration may be resorted to. A fairly heavy assistant 

 stands between the animal's legs and presses with his entire weight 

 on the animal's chest, rising again almost immediately. This is 

 repeated at intervals of about four or five seconds. The shock 

 should not be violent ; but the man's whole weight should be 

 employed, and special attention must be given to regularity in the 

 process. In the horse it rarely happens that the tongue recedes 

 and by covering the opening of the larynx causes asphyxia. Should 

 any indication of this — like loud snoring, etc. — occur, the tongue 

 should immediately be grasped and drawn forward. 



In cases of respirator}- failure some French investigators have 

 recently recommended the system practised in man for resuscitation 

 from drowning, viz. repeated rhythmical traction on the tongue 

 (lingual traction) at intervals of two to four seconds. The theory 

 is that the superior laryngeal nerve and respiratory centre are thus 

 stimulated, and in man remarkable effects have been produced, 

 more than one person having recovered after apparent respiratory 

 arrest extending over an hour, A small apparatus worked by 

 electricity has been made to carry out the process. 



Impending Cardiac Syncope is indicated by irregularity of the 

 pulse, widely dilated pupil, weak heart's action, cessation of 

 haemorrhage, or the escape of a few drops of dark-coloured blood 

 from the seat of incision. The head should immediately be 

 lowered as far as possible, artificial respiration commenced, cold 

 water dashed on the head, the chest wall smartly slapped, and 

 if time permit, subcutaneous injections of sulphate of strychnine or 

 ether should be given. Cardiac syncope may also be combated by 

 intermittent pressure on the heart region, at the rate of 120 to 



