106 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 
not hesitate. Your purpose is to make a hole in the windpipe suffi- 
ciently large to admit the tracheotomy tube. It is quickly manifested 
when the windpipe is severed; the hot air rushes out, and when air 
is taken in it is sucked in with a noise. A slight hemorrhage may 
result (it never amounts to much), which is easily controlled by wash- 
ing the wound with a sponge and cold water, but use care not to get 
any water in the windpipe. Do not neglect to instruct your assistant 
to hold the head down immediately after the operation, so that the 
neck will be in a horizontal line. This will prevent the blood from 
getting into the windpipe and will allow it to drop directly on the 
ground. If you have the self-adjustable tube, it retains its place 
in the wound without further trouble after it is inserted. The other 
kind requires to be secured in position by means of two tapes or 
strings tied around the neck. After the hemorrhage is somewhat 
abated, sponge the blood away and see that the tube is thoroughly 
clean, then insert it, directing the tube downward toward the lungs. 
The immediate relief this operation affords is gratifying to behold. 
The animal, a few minutes before on the verge of death from suffoca- 
tion, emitting a loud wheezing sound with every breath, with hag- 
gard countenance, body swaying, pawing, gasping, fighting for 
breath, now breathes tranquilly, and may be in search of something 
to eat. 
The tube should be removed once a day and cleaned with carbolic- 
acid solution (1 to 20), and the discharge washed away from the 
wound with a solution of carbolic acid, 1 part to 40 parts water. 
Several times a day the hand should be held over the opening in the 
tube to test the animal’s ability to breathe through the nostrils, and 
as soon as it is demonstrated that breathing can be performed in the 
natural way the tube should be removed, the wound thoroughly 
cleansed with carbolic-acid solution (1 to 40), and closed by in- 
serting four or five stitches through the skin and muscle. Do not 
include the cartilages of the windpipe in the stitches. Apply the 
solution to the wound three or four times a day until healed. When 
the tube is removed to clean it the lips of the wound may be pressed 
together to ascertain whether or not the horse can breathe through 
the larynx. The use of the tube should be discontinued as soon as 
possible. 
It is true that tracheotomy tubes are seldom to be found on farms, 
and especially when most urgently required. In such instances there 
is nothing left to be done but, with a strong needle, pass a waxed end 
or other strong string through each side of the wound, including the 
cartilage of the windpipe, and keep the wound open by tying thé 
strings over the neck. 
During the time the tube is used the other treatment advised must 
not be neglected. After a few days the discharge from the nostrils 
