104 NASAL POLYPUS — NASAL DISCHARGB. 



to white, debility — and dark livid color, approaching Btagnatioo 

 of the vital current. 



NASAL POLYPUS. 



By the polypus, is meant an excrescence or tumor, varying ii; 

 size, structure, and consistence, and attached by a pedicle to a 

 mucous surface. 



The nasal polypus usually adheres to some portion of th? 

 superior turbinated hone, or it has come from some of the sin- 

 uses connected with that cavity. 



As it increases in weight, it elongates that sac of the schnide- 

 rian membrane which invests it, and it descends in the nose. It 

 is of a pear form, and differs in weight from a few drachms to 

 three or four pounds. 



When it descends so that it can fairly be got at with the fin- 

 gers, the forceps, or (for it possesses little sensibility) the tenta- 

 culum, it must be carefully and gently drawn out, and a liga- 

 ment passed tightly round the neck or pedicle of it, as high up 

 as convenient, and then if practicable, it should be returned into 

 the nostril. It wiU slough off in a few days, with very little 

 inconvenience to the horse. If it cannot be returned, it should 

 be cut off below the ligature. If the ligature is drawn suffi- 

 ciently tightly, not much hemorrhage will often ensue. Cau 

 tery may be resorted to to stop bleeding, as a last resort, in case 

 of obstinate hemorrhage, but it is oljjectionable on account of 

 the degree of irritation it produces, and the difficulty, of safely 

 resorting to it in such a situation. In very bad cases, where the 

 tumor cannot be drawn out, it may be necessary to slit up the 

 side of the nostril, but in that case the false nostril should not be 

 cut through, as from its thinness it is difficult to confine the 

 edges securely together until they unite. The incision should 

 be made along the lateral edge of the nasal hone, beginning at 

 its point. The flap will then conveniently turn down, soifis to 

 expose the cavity, and there will be sufficient muscular sub- 

 stance to secure an almost certain union by the first intention, 

 when stitched properly together.* 



NASAL GLEET, OB DISCHARGE FROM THE NOSE. 



There is a constant secretion of fluid to lubricate and moisten 

 the membrane that Unes the cavity of the nose, and which, un- 



* Note by Mr. Spooner. — Still more rarely ve find a bony tumoT fr'itiiD^ 

 in the nostrils, nearly obstructing aU passage, and .'ausing a <liscbargo ?ome- 

 what resembling that of glanderfi. This, like the former, should be remo> efl 

 if possible by an operation. 



