LARYNGOTOMY. 463 



of cotton wool held with forceps. Bleeding is usually slight, though 

 in rare cases a spurting vessel may require to be closed by torsion. 

 The introlaryngeal wound is swabbed with 10 per cent, chloride of 

 zinc solution applied with a sponge, and is then powdered with 

 1 of iodoform to 3 of tannin. 



Moller attempted to stitch the mucous membrane, using a curved 

 needle (Fig. 371). It can be very well managed after a little practice. 

 The needle, threaded with catgut, is first passed through the upper 



Fig. 369.— Curved scissors. Fig. 370.— Forceps Fig. 371.— Curved needle 



for grasping the for suturing laryngeal 



arytenoid. mucous membrane. 



fold of the membrane, which is then drawn downwards and fastened 

 to the under border of the wound. Silk should be avoided, as in 

 the larynx it remains little altered for months. Three sutures usually 

 suffice to fix the membrane in position, to assist cicatrisation, and 

 prevent the loose aryteno-epiglottidean folds interfering with breathing 

 after healing. Kemoval of the vocal cord is unnecessary and in- 

 jurious. A Trendelenberg tampon-cannula is introduced and secured 

 in position by a couple of sutures inserted through the skin, and two 

 pieces of tape passed round the neck. 



The horse is now placed on its side and the hobbles removed ; 

 while, to prevent foreign bodies being inspired through the tracheal 

 tube, a clean cloth should be laid under the neck. The animal is 

 allowed to lie until it rises of its own accord, when it should be placed 

 in a box, receive only hay and water, and not be tied up. It is 



