SURGICAL OPERATIONS. 



21 



(j) Use of the Probang in Choking. 



The animal's head must be stretched for- 

 ward in a straight line from the body, and the 

 operator stand squarely and firmly in front 

 Carefully pass the proJDang, well oiled, over 

 the root of the tongue, until the throat is 

 reached, and, as soon as the first natural 

 attempt is made to swallow, push on with 

 slight pressure do\v,n the neck until the ob- 

 struction is encountered, then use steady and 

 gentle but firm pressure without any jerking, 

 until the obstructing material is passed into 

 the stomach. Withdraw steadily and care- 

 fully. 



Failing a regular probang, in an emer- 

 gency, a flexible buggy whip, or a piece of 

 stout hose-pipe may be found useful sub- 

 stitutes. 



(i) Operation for Fistulous Withers 

 and PoH=EvH. 



This operation is frequently serious, and 

 requires great skill, but when the pus is 

 superficial, and deep-seated structures have 



not been involved, a cure can be effected by a 

 free opening of the abscess, making the cut 

 parallel with the long axis of the body, and 

 using afterwards repeated irrigations with a 

 lo per cent, solution of peroxide of hydrogen, 

 or other antiseptic solution. 



(Ij Unnerving.* 



This operation can only be performed by 

 one thoroughly expert in the knowledge of 

 the anatomy of the leg. It consists of the 

 exposure and excision of a piece of the meta- 

 carpal nerve of the leg, in order to destroy 

 sensation in the foot, affected with chronic 

 navicular disease, or incurable ringbone. As 

 the operation does not cure the disease, and 

 frequently causes degeneration of the other 

 healthv structures, it is of doubtful value, 

 and can only be advised for the sake of 

 lessening the suffering of a lame horse. 



• Novoeain may be used for producing kcal anaesthesia 

 in unnerving and minor operations generally. It is said 

 to be non-irritant, six times le^s toxic than cocain, and 

 on!y one-third as toxic as other substitutes It is the 

 hydrochloride of para-amip'^-benzoly-di-eihyl-amino-ethanol. 



