CO THE MODERN HORSE DOCTOR. 



We must not therefore, as already observed, consider spasm 

 of the larynx in all cases a primary affection, for we know that 

 in the human family croup is often associated with impaired 

 nutrition, and well-marked derangements of the digestive organs, 

 and all attempts to cure by local means fail, unless aided with 

 pure air and a well-regulated system of hygiene. So that if 

 impaired nutrition leads to spasmodic diseases, and, reasoning 

 from analogy, we may safely conclude that it does, our object in 

 the treatment should be to restore the digestive organs to their 

 normal state. We have lately read a paper written by Dr. Fer- 

 guson, of Dublin, which goes to show that spasm of the larynx 

 can be produced at will : he states, he administered some hydro- 

 cyanic acid to several frogs ; after death he examined them, and 

 found the larynx of each one spasmodically closed. A dose was 

 also given to a rabbit, and after death the blood vessels of the 

 larynx and trachea were intensely congested. A similar state of 

 things might be brought about in the horse, by the use of similar 

 poisonous agents ; but as medical treatment would, in. cases of this 

 kind, fail, it is unnecessary to write any thing more on that subject. 



Treatment. — It has been hinted, at the commencement of this 

 article, that nauseants, counter irritants, and tracheotomy are the 

 principal agents in view of immediate relief; unfortunately, how- 

 ever, the former are of little avail unless administered early — 

 before alarming symptoms set in, as in partial spasm. When the 

 patient is attacked suddenly, and shows all the worst features of 

 the disease, he can only be relieved by a surgical operation called 

 tracheotomy. The operation is not considered a dangerous one, 

 yet the services of a qualified person are indispensable ; as also 

 in cases which result from the presence of morbid growths in the 

 vicinity of the larynx, surgical skill must be sought. 



It is proper, in all cases of either spasm or obstruction existing 

 in or about the larynx, to let the patient inhale the vapor of hot 

 water, or else that arising from medicated water. A small por- 

 tion of nitrous ether, dropped on a large sponge previously satu- 

 rated with hot water, and held up to the patient's nostrils, may 

 give relief; we have tried this article, as well as chloric ether, in 

 cases of obstructed respiration, and think benefit has been derived. 

 Only a small quantity of these articles, however, can be used, for 



