CHLOROFORM. 607 



to construct an equine chloroform muzzle on the same principle as 

 that which Junker devised for human, beings, and which presents 

 the chloroform to the patient in a vapour of easily regulated con- 

 centration. We can ascertain the amount of influence which the 

 chloroform has over the animal by noting the degree of sensibility 

 his eye manifests when touched by the finger. As advised by 

 MoUer of Berlin, the best spot to select when, doing this, is the 

 inner corner (inner canthus) of the eye on. the 'haw {memhrana 

 nictitans). We may also feel if the muscles of the tail offer any 

 resistance to the dock being bent and extended ; and may pinch 

 the parts under the tail to still further satisfy our minds. I wish 

 to impress on my readers the necessity of inducing complete in- 

 sensibility, when our object is to obtain as much muscular relaxa- 

 tion as we can. Hence, in such a case, we should abstain from 

 operating until external irritation fails to produce reflex action. 

 If, however, we give chloroform merely to deaden pain, we need 

 not push it so far. After the operation is over, it is well to allow 

 the animal to sleep off the effects of the drug, which he will 

 generally do in about an hour. The hobbles or the apparatus 

 should not be removed until consciousness has returned ; for he 

 is liable to injure himself by struggling when " coming to." 



Russell's chloroform inhaler consists of a canvas bag provided 

 with a metal bottom into which a tray fitted with sponge can be 

 passed. Having cast the horse (by Mr. Over's method, page ^-42, 

 or by tying up one fore leg and pulling the head round, page 

 646), we get an assistant to put the inhaler over the horse's 

 muzzle, take out the tray of the inhaler, saturate the sponge 

 with about IJ oz. of chloroform, retuni the tray, and proceed 

 to render the animal insensible. When it is necessary to re- 

 plenish the supply of chloroform, say, after seven minutes, we 

 can again remove the tray, while retaining the inhaler on the 

 horse's head. We can easily regulate the supply of air as may 

 be necessary. 



Cagny and Gobert state that it is advisable before giving 

 chloroform, to make a subcutaneous injection (p. 633) of If grain 

 of morphine hydrochloride and -^^ grain of atropine sulphate 

 (p. 601) in 3 drachms of distilled water; because this injection 

 greatly lessens the excitement, hastens insensibility, checks heart 

 failure, and increases the effect of the chloroform, the quantity 

 of which can consequently be reduced. 



Citrine Ointment {Nitrate of Mercury Ointmetit). 

 See p. 621. 



