THE EESPIRATORY APPARATUS. 



313 



Treatment. — Where the breathing is excessively diffi- 

 cult, tracheotomy should be at once resorted to, as this is 

 a most valuable means of placing the larynx in a state of 

 rest. The throat should be freely fomented, and the 

 head steamed by either of the methods previously mentioned. 

 Nutrient enemas may be administered, and a free supply 

 of nitrated water allowed. Administration of drenches is 

 not advisable, for the pharynx is involved in inflammation, 

 and the difficulty in swallowing may lead to entry of some 

 fluid through the glottis, with its resulting ill-conse- 

 quences. When the disease tends to assume a subacute 

 character a stimulating application may be applied to 

 the throat. The compound liniment of cantharides is 



FlO-. 60. — Tracheotomy Tube. (Armatage.) 



about the best. These cases are generally of an acute 

 and urgent character. 



^-XV 



Fig. 61. — Auimal wearing Tracheotomy Tube. (Artnatage.) 



To jperform the ojperation of tracheotomy. — The head 

 being extended, the operator feels along the front 

 of the neck for the most superficial position of the 

 trachea. This having been found at about the centre 

 of the neck, a longitudinal incision, about two inches in 



