114 BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 



A liniment composed of 2 ounces of olive oil unci 1 ounce each of 

 solution of ammonia and tincture of cantharides, well shaken together, 

 may be thoroughly rublxid in about the throat from ear to ear, and 

 about six inches down over the windpipe, and in the space between the 

 lower jaws. This liniment should be applied once a da}^ for two or 

 three days. 



If the animal is breathing with great difficult}-, persevere in steam- 

 ing the nostrils, and dissolve 2 drams of chlorate of potassium in ever}" 

 gallon of water he will drink; even if he can not swallow much of it, 

 and even if it is returned through the nostrils, it will be of some benelit 

 to the pharynx as a gargle. 



An electuary of acetate of potash, 2 drams, honey, and licorice powder 

 may be spread on the teeth with a paddle ever}- few hours. If the 

 pain of coughing is great, 2 or 3 grains of morphine may be added to 

 the electuary. 



When the breathing begins to be loud relief is afforded in some cases 

 by giving a drench composed of 2 drams of fluid extract of I'aborandi 

 in half a pint of water. If benefit is derived, this drench may be 

 repeated four or five hours after the first dose is given. It will cause 

 a free flow of saliva from the month. 



In urgent cases, when suffocation seems inevitable, the oj)eration of 

 tracheotomy must be performed. To describe this operation in words 

 that would make it comprehensible to the general reader is a more 

 difficult task than performing the operation, which, in the hands of 

 the expert, is simple and attended with little danger. 



The operator should be provided with a tracheotomy tube (to be 

 purchased from any veterinary instrument maker) and a sharp knife, a 

 sponge, and a bucket of clean cold water. The place to be selected for 

 opening the windpipe is that part which is found, upon examination, 

 to be least covered with muscles, about 5 or 6 inches below the 

 throat. Right here, then, is the place to cut through. Have an assist- 

 ant hold the animal's head still. Grasp your knife firmly in the right 

 hand, select the spot and make the cut from above to below directly 

 on the median line on the anterior surface of the windpipe. Make the 

 cut about 2 inches long hi the w'indj>i]pe ; this necessitates cutting three 

 or four rings. One bold stroke is usually sufficient, but if it is neces- 

 sary to make several other cuts to finish the operation, do not hesitate. 

 Your purpose is to make a hole in the windpipe sufficiently large to 

 admit the tracheotomy tube. It is quickly manifested when the wind- 

 pipe is severed; the hot air rushes out, and when air is taken in it is 

 sucked in with a noise. A slight hemorrhage may result (it never 

 amounts to much), which is easily controlled by washing the wound 

 with a sponge and cold water, but use care not to get any water in the 

 windpipe. Do not neglect to instruct your assistant to hold the head 

 down immediately after the operation, so that the neck will be in a 



