EDEMA OF THE GLOTTIS 33 



EDEMA OF THE GLOTTIS 



When the submucous tissues of the glottis become infil- 

 trated with inflammatory exudate or with congestive 

 fluids of other character, the condition is one of grave 

 import. "While edema of the glottis is, in many cases, 

 merely a complication of laryngeal or pharyngeal inflam- 

 mations, it does occur at times as a distinct and separate 

 clinical phenomenon. No doubt, occasional instances of 

 sudden death, attributed to other causes in the absence of 

 positive evidence, are due to this condition. 



Symptoms. The clinical picture in edema of the glottis 

 is that of asphyxiation. The horse finds it impossible to 

 inhale ; exhalation is not interfered with. There is great 

 excitement, the animal frequently "paws the air," throws 

 itself against the sides of its stall; the urine dribbles 

 away, perspiration sets in. In other cases the horse 

 stands quietly enough, breathing wheezily and with great 

 effort. The animal usually resents palpation in the 

 laryngeal region, and pressure on the larynx increases 

 the dyspnea. Edema of the glottis always develops very 

 suddenly and progresses rapidly to a fatal end by asphyx- 

 iation in many cases. From the beginning of the first 

 symptoms to the termination of the attack in death may 

 require not more than half an hour. 



Treatment. If asphyxiation is near, evidenced by 

 staggering, opening of the mouth in the effort to inhale, 

 cyanotic membranes, tracheotomy alone can save the life 

 of the horse. No time should then be spent in preparing 

 the operative area and the operation should not be de- 

 layed because no trachea tube is at hand. In the latter 

 emergency the tracheal incision can be held open by 

 means of artery forceps or sutures until a tube can be 

 procured or a makeshift improvised. The edema may 

 subside within a few hours, or it may remain for several 



