SURGICAL ANESTHESIA. 67 



the large domestic animals ; in cases of delicate manipulation 

 and dissection with sharp instruments, as in the operation for 

 strangulated inguinal hernia; in the reduction of other hernial 

 tumors, in the performance of neurotomy; in operations upon 

 the eye, and in the removal of tumors of certain kinds. It is also 

 indicated in certain oj^erations upon the foot, which are always 

 accompanied with great pain, such as that for the extirpation of a 

 portion of the quarter of the foot, in the removal of the cartilage 

 affected with necrosis (quittor); or again, in deep punctured wounds 

 of the sole, where the resection of the plantar aponeurosis becomes 

 necessary, or the bones are scraped with the knife. 



The anesthetic condition is also very favorable for the reduc- 

 tion of displaced organs, as of a prolapsed rectum, or uterus, or 

 bladder. 



In operations upon the teeth, in some cases of parturition, 

 in castration, in firing, or even in the application of hobbles, the 

 induction of the anesthetic state has often been of great benefit 

 in quieting nervous animals, and subduing them to a condition of 

 passiveness, which relieved the movements of the surgeon frorn 

 all embarrassment and uncertainty. 



As with human patients, anesthetics are contra-indicated in 

 animals subject to diseases of the heart or of the lungs. A fuU 

 stomach is also always a contra-indication of their administration, 

 especially in solipeds, which are lacking in the abihty to reheve it 

 of its contents by vomiting. 



Anesthesia may be either local or general, according to the 

 area of its efiects. Local, when apphed to the skin over a limited 

 surface, to which its efiects are confined ; and general, when ad- 

 ministered by inhalation, and through the respiratory organs in- 

 fluencing the entire economy. 



In local anesthesia the efl'ects are obtained either by the pulveri- 

 zation of the proper substance upon the region where it is required 

 to take effect, or by the subcutaneous injection of special agents. 

 General anesthesia is usually produced by the inhalation of the 

 vapors of ether or of chloroform. 



LOCAL ANESTHESIA. 



The special indications for this are so numerous that they may 

 almost be considered as general, if not universal, and its applica- 

 tion is so simple and easy a process, and its effects usually so cer- 



