70 OPERATIVE TECHNIQUE. 



Solutions of cocaine may be replaced by distilled and sterilised 

 water, with which complete local anaesthesia is obtained, lasting as 

 long as that produced by Schleich's solution. In laparotomy w'ater 

 and cocaine solutions have an unsatisfactory effect, apparently due 

 to the ready distension of the tissues, which prevents the requisite 

 action of the fluids. 



Bayer has tried Schleich's method in animals, and with such good 

 results that he recommends it strongly, especially where difficulties 

 exist in casting a horse. As an experiment, he made an incision about 

 four inches long through the mucous membrane of the tongue and 

 then sutured the wound. He also trephined the superior maxillary 

 sinus without causing any apparent pain. The horse was operated on 

 in the standing position, and was not restrained by twitches or other 

 appliances. In another case, having cast but not chloroformed or 

 twitched the horse, he divided the median nerve without causing any 

 struggle. In this instance the nerve sheath was injected. At the 

 point of operation the nerve was anaesthetic, but pressure with the 

 point of the needle at any spot beyond the oedematous zone produced 

 lively reaction. M oiler successfully performed an extensive operation 

 for hernia on a horse without casting. This method is particularly 

 useful in dogs, w^hich seem specially susceptible to the action of 

 chloroform, and not infrequently die as a consequence of prolonged 

 administration. 



