26 CANINE AND FELINE SURGERY. 



live body -weight of the patient to be absorbed into the system 

 at one time.^ 



Holocaine,^ like eucaine, is a chemical preparation and is used 

 in the form of the hydrochlorate. It is antiseptic and does not 

 decompose on boiling. A few drops of a i per cent, solution 

 cause, when applied to the cornea of the eye, a temporary 

 burning sensation, which passes off in a few seconds and is 

 immediately followed by a local anaesthesia lasting from about 

 twelve to fifteen minutes. It is not suitable for hypodermic in- 

 jection or for use over any extent of surface, as it is more toxic 

 than cocaine, producing symptoms resembling those of 

 strychnine. The chief advantage which it is claimed to possess 

 over cocaine or eucaine is that local anaesthesia is' produced in 

 ophthalmic cases without causing any intraocular tension or 

 congestion of vessels in the neighbourhood to which it is 

 applied. 



Orthoform,^ a local anaesthetic which has been introduced 

 within the past eighteen months, is very valuable for wounds, 

 mucous surfaces, and places where the skin is abraded. From 

 a canine surgical point of view it is mainly of value in the treat- 

 ment of wounds that are painful, and, dissolved in collodion in 

 the proportion of i to 8, as an application for hermetically 

 sealing an operation wound. For the latter purpose it is most 

 valuable, especially for the closing of such wounds as are made 

 during an abdominal operation. Before application, after the 

 sutures have been inserted, the wound is thoroughly dried and 

 the mixture painted on with a camel hair brush. Its local 

 anaesthetic effect is well marked, and continues for periods lasting 

 even as long as thirty-six hours ; in addition, orthoform is non- 

 poisonous and can be used over large abraded surfaces with 

 perfect safety. In the Clinique we have used it at least thirty 

 times in the dog or cat as an application after laparotomy 



1 "Journal of Comparative Pathology and Therapeutics," Vol. VIII., p. 20; Vol. X., 

 p. 80. 



2 "British Medical Journal Epitome," 1898, p. 99; "Year Book of Treatment for 

 1898," pp. 158, 368, 454. 



3 "British Medical Journal Epitome," 1898, p. 79; " Lancet, " 6th Nov. 1897. 



