144 



CAXLYE AXD FELINE SURGERY 



to the Veterinary Record (vol. xv., p. 265), the patient, an Aberdeen 

 terrier, was admitted to hospital with symptoms of choking. A probang 

 was passed without meeting with any apparent obstruction, and a portion 



of some medicine which was ad- 

 ministered was retained. The animal, 

 however, suffered great pain, and 

 died about twenty-four hours later. 

 Post-iuortein e.xamination re\ealed a 

 jagged piece of bone, which had 

 ulcerated through the cesophagus in 

 that portion which is contained within 

 the thorax. The probang had evidently 

 passed through this hole directly into 

 the chest, and this would account for 

 the fact that it met with no opposition 

 on its passage down. 



Operation. — Place the patient 

 on the operating-table in the 

 dorsal position, with the neck 

 ^vell extended so as to expose 

 the throat. Anesthetize with 

 some local anaesthetic (cocaine 

 or ethyl chloride answers ad- 

 mirabl}-), and incise the skin 

 directly over the obstruction 

 well to the left side. Apply 

 pressure forceps to allay hemor- 

 rhage, push aside any \-essels 

 in the vicinity, and expose the 

 oesophagus. This organ is then 

 incised longitudinalh' by a clean, 

 bold cut, and the foreign body 

 remo\'ed with forceps. At this 

 stage \'omiting sometimes occurs. 

 The wound and surrounding 

 parts are then thoroughlj- cleansed and disinfected, and the 

 oesophagus is sutured through all the coats at the same time, 

 ' For this photograph I am indebted to the Veterinary Record. 



Fig. 1 14. — A Lacerated Wound 

 in the CEsophagus caused by 

 the Continued Presence of a 

 Foreign liody.' 



