THE ROARING OPERATION 63 



During the first 48 hours after operating, the patient 

 should be closely watched in reference to dyspnoea either 

 from hematoma in the ventricles or from edema or emphy- 

 sema of the parts. As a rule of practice, it is best to insert 

 into the wound a laryngeal tube which should be fixed 

 securely to the margins of the external wound by means of 

 heavy sutures, and further security given by passing strong 

 tapes about the neck and tying firmly. 



Ordinarily the ventricular wounds should not be disturbed 

 after the operation. The external wound should be dressed 

 daily with antiseptics till healed, a period of about three 

 weeks. Horses used for ordinary work purposes may 

 usually be returned to their work after five to six weeks. 



14. TRACHEOTOMY 

 Fig. 23 



Instruments. Razor, scissors, convex scalpel, tenacula, 

 tenaculum and ligation forceps, trachea tube, and suture 

 material. 



Technic. in the superior third of the cervical region, in 

 the neighborhood of the fourth to the sixth tracheal ring, 

 shave and disinfect the skin on the anterior surface of the 

 neck to the extent of lo cm. long by 5 cm. wide. The 

 operation is best performed upon the standing animal with 

 the head extended. In lateral decubitis the operation is 

 carried out with some difficulty, and generally the operator 

 fails to get the incision on the median line. The operator 

 stands before the right, shoulder of the horse with an assist- 

 ant opposite him. 



Render the skin tense along the median line of the 

 trachea with the left hand and then make a drawing cut 5 

 to 8 cm. long from above to below with the scalpel. The 

 incision should be made carefully upon the median raphe of 



