THE THROAT AND NECK 



145 



the muscles and skin being then closed separately, and the 

 whole covered ^\■ith some antiseptic. 



After-treatment consists in that usually applied to a wound 

 (see p. 50), whilst particular attention is paid to diet. Milk 

 or soups containing small quantities of some non-irritant 

 antiseptic, such as boric acid or dilute chinosol, may be 

 given during the first three or four daj'S, or rectal feeding 

 may be resorted to entirely. When commencing again with 

 solid food, this should be cut up very small and given as 



(J 



Fig. 115. — Two Patterns of Tracheotomy-tube. 



slowly as possible. The bad sequela; to be feared are tardi- 

 ness of healing, the formation of an abscess, and ultimate 

 formation of a stricture or fistula; but on the whole, if 

 antiseptic measures are rigorousl}' attended to, reports show 

 that the results are very satisfactory.^ 



Tracheotomy. 



This operation is performed to relieve asphyxia caused 

 by acute laryngitis or pharyngitis, b)- the presence of some 

 foreign body in the phar}-nx or larynx or around the neck 



1 Journal of Comparative Pathology and Therapeutics, vol. x., p. 358 ; 

 Veterinary Record, vol. xiv., p. 262. 



10 



