S48 CESEOPHAGOTOMY. 



tating knife in the right to sever it at one stroke. The he- 

 morrhage, although considerable, need not occasion any alarm. 

 A piece of cotton or soft sponge, saturated with spirits of tur 

 pentine or any other styptic, and placed in the sheath, will soon 

 cause the hemorrhage to cease. Fear of hemorrhage, may 

 deter some persons from performing what may appear a bold 

 operation ; but the author has not known a single operation 

 performed in this way to have a fatal termination ; whereas with 

 the English mode of operating it frequently does so, beside, 

 even if it is successful, rendering the animal useless for a mucl? 

 greater period of time. 



CESOPHAGOTOMY. 



This operation is occasionally resorted to where any foreign 

 substance, as an apple, potato, carrot, and the like, has lodged 

 in the oesophagus, or gullet. Where such obstructions exist, 

 gentle manipulations with the hand should first be resorted to ; 

 if these are not successful in removing them, the probang is called 

 for, and in case of failure thus to dislodge them, this operation is 

 the only remaining resort. It is not necessary to cast the animal. 

 Cut down directly upon the swollen part of the throat, and re- 

 move the obstruction. The wound may then be closed by means 

 of the interrupted suture ; that is, by single stitches, at propei* 

 distances apart, allowing the ends to hang out of the external 

 wound, which may be closed in the same manner. The animal 

 Bhould be kept on gruel for several days. If the gruel is seen 

 to ooze out of the wound when he is swallowing, it should be 

 carefully washed away with cold water. The parts should be 

 Byringed with a weak solution of sulphate of zinc, chloride of 

 zinc, or tincture of myrrh. 



