254 DADD& VETERINARY MEDICINE AND SURGERY. 



the part immediately covered by the muscular envelope, and which 

 here is bulbous (it is more particularly worthy our remark, froD 

 two arteries penetrating the bulb, which come from without th* 

 pelvis, ascending obliquely outward to reach the part) ; 5th, tin 

 suspensory ligaments of the penis, pursuing the course of, and ad 

 hering to, the tendinous union of the erectores. An attention to 

 the relative position of these parts will demonstrate the advantages 

 i-f the lateral oblique incision over one made directly along the 

 raphe. By pursuing the latter, we necessarily cut through tli 3 

 suspensory ligaments and into the bulb, wounding thereby the 

 arteries ; whereas, by the former, all this danger is avoided, besides 

 that it renders the operation more simple and facile. 



Tracheotomy (Cutting into the Windpipe). 



Cases occur when this operation is required, as in strangles, 

 when the tumors threaten suffocation, or when any substance has 

 remained unswallowed in the oesophagus, the pressure of which 

 obstructs respiration. In a distressing case of gunpowder burst- 

 ing immediately under a horse's nose, the effects of which tumefied 

 his mouth and nostrils, so as to prevent free inspiration, the ani- 

 mal owed his life entirely to our excising a portion from the 

 tracheal rings, about ten inches below the angle of the throat. 

 The operation is a very simple one, and may -consist either in a 

 longitudinal section made through two or three of the rings, or a 

 portion, occupying about an inch round, may be excised from the 

 anterior cartilaginous substance. The proper mode, when it can 

 be done, however, is to make a circular opening with a very nar- 

 row knife, removing a portion of two cartilages, or taking a semi- 

 circular piece from each ; and this last, although it is seldom 

 performed, is by far the best method. The integuments should 

 be first divided in the exact center of the neck, three or four inches 

 below the obstruction ; then the skin and tissues should be suffi- 

 ciently separated to allow a tube adapted to the size of the trachea 

 to be introduced, the tube having an acute turn and a rim, which 

 must be furnished with holes for the adaptation of tapes, to secure 

 it around the neck. There are several instruments of this sort iu 

 use, of which that adopted by the French, or the one invented 

 by Mr. Gowing, of Camden Town, is to be preferred. The oper- 

 ation has been also performed in cases of roaring, under an idea 



