580 ESOPHAGOTOMY. 



contrary on record ; so that we are not deterred from cut- 

 ting into the esophageal tube when it is necessary ; but it 

 is an operation requiring skill and anatomical knowledge ; 

 and its future results are sometimes very serious. The 

 cases that call for esophagotomy are the lodgement of acci- 

 dental substances within the tube. An apple once so lodged 

 was removed by incision by a veterinary surgeon at Windsor, 

 Carrots, parsneps, beet, &c., are liable to produce such ob- 

 struction when not sliced. Too large a medicinal mass also 

 has lodged there ; and a voracious eater has, by attempting 

 to swallow too large a quantity of not salivated bran or chaff, 

 produced an obstruction which pressed on the trachea 

 and threatened suifocation. In all cases of obstruction of 

 this kind we will suppose that a probang well oiled has been 

 previously attempted to be passed, and has completely 

 failed. The probang for the horse, however, differs mate- 

 rially from that used for the cow. It is formed after the 

 fashion of the one adopted by the human practitioner, con- 

 sisting of a pliable piece of whalebone, having a sponge 

 tied to one end. The operation being determined on may 

 be practised standing ; if the swelling be large no fear 

 need be entertained about cutting important organs, as the 

 enlargement will push them on one side. Cut down, there- 

 fore, directly upon the centre of the impacted substance. 

 If the horse be cast, which is quite unnecessary, have him 

 of course thrown with his left side uppermost. It will also 

 be necessary to command a good light. The part of the 

 neck chosen for the opening must of course be governed by 

 the obstructing mass. A section should be made through 

 the integuments and cellular tissue beneath them, right 

 into the oesophagus, if possible with one cut, and into the 

 centre of the pipe. If this be not done at once, and it 

 requires some dexterity so to effect it, mind to make all 

 future incisions in a line with the first opening ; as it is im- 

 portant that the cellular tissue should be little interfered 

 with. The oesophagus, fairly cut into the impactment, 

 should jump forth ; should it not do so, do not manipulate, 

 or attempt to force it out, but enlarge the opening, and the 

 substance will come through when that is long enough ; but 

 no fingering could compel its exit while the opening is too 

 small. The end gained for which the incision was made in 



