NASAL POLYPUS. 89 
they oblige the polypus to turn upon its pedicle, which motion first 
twists and ultimately ruptures it. The growth is thus removed; as the 
polypus is not very sensitive, and the operation should be soon over, 
small suffering is inflicted, when compared with the permanent ease which 
the proceeding insures. 
Of the operation by traction or dragging away, no notice will be 
taken; it is a vulgar and a cruel affair. Ligature, however, where it 
can be used, is generally preferred; because the employment of it is not 
so sudden, and, consequently, not apparently so violent; because no 
blood generally follows the removal, and therefore there is no visible 
evidence of pain. The writer is not certain it is the least painful of. the 
methods proposed; the relief is delayed, although the appearance and 
the appetite of the animal are assurances that nothing approaching to 
agony is inflicted. 
For ligature procure a fine, hollow tube, having at one end a cover 
made to screw on and off; the opposite extremity must be open, and 
should have a cross bar attached externally, one inch from the termina- 
tion. Upon the cover two holes must be bored, each large enough to 
admit a fine wire; to arm this 
instrument, which should be 
about eighteen inches long, 
procure a piece of zinc wire 
one yard and a half long; 
push this through one of the 
holes on the unscrewed cover and down the tube; screw on the cover; 
fasten the projecting end of the wire to the cross bar; return the 
wire through the other hole, and, passing it down the tube, leave it 
hanging free. Form of the wire a loop, large enough to surround the 
polypus; pass it gently over the head of the growth; by means of the 
tube, work the loop upward, tightening the wire as the size of the poly- 
pus diminishes. When the wire is round the pedicle, fix it by winding 
it also over the cross bar; then slowly make turns with the tube, 
observing the growth while so doing. When the tumor changes color 
or the animal exhibits pain, discontinue all further movements; release 
the wires from the cross bar and withdraw the tube, leaving the ends of 
the ligature protruding from the nostril and turned up on one side 
of the face. 
Order the horse to be fastened to the pillar-reins that night, and to be 
watched while feeding. The next day, if the tumor do not feel sensibly 
cold and has not evidently lost the living hue, reinsert the wires into the 
tube, fix them again on the cross bar, and give another turn or two. If 
small alteration be subsequently observed, the same evening the pro- 
DIAGRAM OF A TUBE FOR THE REMOVAL OF NASAL POLYPUS. 
