702 OPERATIONS. 



water (1 to 20), dried, and replaced. Here, the use of two similar 

 tubes would be an advantage. (4) After the daily removal of the 

 tube, the wound should be gently cleaned, and if necessary dis- 

 infected; care being taken that none of the antiseptic enters the 

 windpipe. (5) Mr. F. B. Jones advised that the plug should be 

 taken out first thing in the morning and allowed to remain out all 

 day to accustom the horse to breathe through the tube, and also 

 tor the lungs to get used to the fresh air. The plug should be put 

 in only at night to prevent any foreign body getting into the wind- 

 pipe, especially if peat moss litter is used in the stable. Previous 

 to inserting the plug, it is advisable to rub a little antiseptic oint- 

 ment (carbolic, iodoform, or salicylic acid ointment) round it, as 

 it causes the plug to come out easily next morning, and prevents 

 the mucus becoming hard round it. I would advise, as already 

 said, that with race-horses and chasers when the horse is 

 accustomed to the tube, it should always remain closed, except 

 during a race or when a strong gallop is being given, and at 

 definite intervals to ensure that the horse remains accustomed 

 to an open tube. (6) No attempt to swim the animal should be 

 made without first closing the tube. (7) If possible, have two or 

 three tubes of different lengths, so as to obviate the necessity of _ 

 employing washers when the swelling due to the operation has 

 subsided. (8) In all probability it will be necessary, from time 

 to time, to dissect away growths of tissue which may form inside 

 the windpipe near the opening, and to enlarge the opening and 

 calibre of the windpipe near the tube. In all such removals, we 

 should take care not to allow any portion of the divided tissues 

 to fall into the windpipe. Here, a sharp-toothed forceps will be 

 useful. 



TUBE FALLING INTO WINDPIPE.— There have been several 

 cases of portions of the tube falling into the windpipe and being 

 successfully extracted. On such an accident occurring, it will often 

 be necessary to make a second opening as low down the neck as 

 possible, in order to facilitate the removal of the ofEending body. 

 Extraction can be performed by means of a long forceps, piece of 

 wire bent into the form of a hook at one end, or other convenient 

 instrument. By compressing the larynx of the animal with a 

 finger and thumb, one on each side, make him cough and thus 

 induce him to project the foreign body above the opening in the 

 > windpipe, at which moment an assistant should be ready to 

 insert his finger into the opening, and, preventing in this manner 

 the body from falling back into the lower part of the larynx, to 

 take it out. 



