294 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



lateral movement insert the seton by means of a seton needle. (PL 

 XXVII, figs. 1 and 2.) The seton should consist of a piece of strong 

 tape, varying in breadth according to circumstances, and should be 

 kept in pLace either by a knot on each end or by tying the ends to- 

 gether. 



Setons should be gently moved once a day after suppuration is set 

 up, and they should not be allowed to remain in over three weeks, or 

 a month at the outside. 



TRACHEOTOMY. 



This operation consists in making an opening in the trachea, or 

 windpipe. It is indicated whenever there is an obstruction from anj'' 

 cause in the upper part of the respiratory tract which threatens the 

 death of the animal by asphyxia (suffocation). The mode of pro- 

 cedure is as follows: Have an assistant extend the animal's head as 

 far as possible to make the trachea tense and prominent; make a 

 longitudinal incision about 2 to 2| inches long through the skin and 

 deeper tissues and trachea at the most prominent part of the trachea, 

 which is about the middle or upper third, and then insert the trache- 

 otom}^ tube. The latter should be removed once or twice daily and 

 cleansed, and the wound dressed antiseptically. To ascertain when 

 it is time to discontinue the use of the tube and to allow the wound 

 to close, the hand should be held over the opening, which will require 

 the animal to use its natural passages in breathing. Observe whether 

 it is performed in a natural manner, and if so, remove the tube and 

 allow the w^ound to close. Often the operation has to be performed 

 in great haste without the proper instruments and under great dis- 

 advantages, the operator having to cut down quickly, open the 

 trachea and spread the parts, using some instrument improvised by 

 him at the time. This operation only gives the animal relief in 

 breathing, and therefore the proper remedial treatment should be 

 adopted at the onset of the attack and continued until the cause (the 

 disease) has been overcome. 



RUMENOTOMY. 



The opening of the paunch, or rumen, in cattle and the removal 

 of a part or the whole of the ingesta through said opening is termed 

 rumenotomy. The operation should be performed in severe cases 

 only, where the rumen is excessively overloaded and distended. The 

 animal is placed wnth its right side against a wall and firmly held in 

 position by strong assistants. The incision is made in the same place 

 that the trocar is inserted for puncturing that organ in cases of 

 hoven. The opening is increased in size until the oj^erator's hand can 

 be inserted into the rumen. Before anv of the contents are removed 



