THE MODERN HORSE DOCTOR. 105 



some flaxseed or slippery elm tea. If the throat prove sore, bathe 

 it every night with tincture of capsicum. 



TRACHEOTOMY. 



This operation consists in making an opening into the windpipe 

 to admit air to the lungs, when the natural passage is obstructed 

 by foreign bodies, or when its calibre is lessened by tumefaction 

 occasioned by disease. In severe cases of laryngitis, strangles, 

 and their kindred diseases, when the patient seems almost suffo- 

 cated, tracheotomy should be immediately performed. In per- 

 forming the operation, we select a spot about six inches below the 

 throat, in front of the neck, and over the region of the windpipe ; 

 an incision is to be made with a common penknife, (in lieu of a 

 better instrument,) to the extent of two or three inches, in a down- 

 ward direction, so as to lay bare the trachea; having exposed 

 space sufficient, a circular piece between two rings, corresponding 

 to the size of the tube, is to be cut out, and a short tube inserted, 

 which can be confined in position by means of tape passed around 

 the neck. When the obstruction is removed, or the fauces restored 

 to their natural state, remove the tube, bring the edges of the 

 integuments together, and sew them up. 



BLEEDING FROM THE NOSE. — (Epistaxis.) 



Common hemorrhage from the nose is not of itself dangerous, 

 for we never knew, nor do we ever remember hearing, of its being 

 fatal; it merely indicates a congestive state of the nasal, and 

 sometimes the cerebral membranes, or blood vessels ; as a symp- 

 tom, therefore, which it really is, of local congestion, it informs us 

 that there is an unequal distribution of the circulating fluid, or 

 else the patient is plethoric. In either case the treatment is 

 simple : we merely cool the head, warm the limbs, give a dose 

 or two of laxative medicine, exercise the patient, and regulate 

 the diet according to circumstances. When the blood appears 

 frothy and of a dirty color, issuing from one nostril only, the 

 breath being fetid, the respirations somewhat hurried, attended 

 by cough, the owner had better consult a veterinary surgeon, 

 for the horse is proably, or will be, the subject of glanders. 



