PRINCIPLES OF VETERINARY SURGERY 245 



danger of death from syncope, asphyxia or the post-anaes- 

 thesia complications. 



These facts account somewhat for the apathy for the 

 general anaesthetic among veterinarians. There are, how- 

 ever, many operations which cannot be properly performed 

 without its aid, and as. many others that should not, on 

 account of the severe and prolonged pain inflicted to the 

 patient. The ablation of large tumors is both painful and 

 dangerous from haemorrhage and shock without the 

 anaesthetic. The castration of a cr3q)torchid is an opera- 

 tion that is difficult to perform and painful, and hence 

 is an indication for general anaesthesia. Ovariotomy of the 

 bitch, and cat, herniotomies, abdominal operations that ex- 

 pose the viscera, laryngeal operations for roaring in the 

 horse, radical operations for poll-evil, fistula of the withers, 

 and quittor, neurotomies of the large nerve trunks, abla- 

 tion of the eye-ball, and many others, are all procedures 

 that are too painful and too tedious to carry out accurately 

 without its use. 



All of these major operations can be more successfully 

 performed with the seat of operation in the perfect state of 

 repose induced by general anaesthesia. The dissection is 

 more accurate, the bleeding vessel is more easily located 

 and ligated, the diseased area is brought into better view, 

 the sutures can be more accurately adjusted, the protec- 

 tive dressing can be securely and efifectually applied, and 

 finally the danger of shock is materially lessened. Further- 

 more the pitiful shrieks and plaintive moans of the dumb 

 brute should not be entirely ignored. 



CONTRA-INDICATIONS.— General anaesthesia is 

 harmful in some operations and strictly contra-indicated in 

 others. It is particularly dangerous in animals carrjdng 

 excessive, internal fat. The animal that has been fat for 

 years, especially the one that has had insufficient exercise 



