OPERATIONS—TRACHEOTOMY. 445 
horse or the flickering light of the lantern will allow him to aim, he 
plunges the blade deeply into the flesh, if possible at one cut dividing 
the cartilages of the trachea. He has little control over the incision. 
Frequently a gash results from the tottering of the animal. Mostly he 
divides more than he would have done had daylight and assistance been 
afforded him. 
The incision being made, the fingers are thrust into the wound to 
keep the division open. At first this may be difficult; but as time 
SS 
TRACHEOTOMY, AS PERFORMED UNDER DIFFICULTIES—A COMMON OCCURRENCE. 
proceeds, the standing of the horse becomes firmer and the breathing 
less noisy. The veterinarian is, however, impatient at the delay and 
his enforced position. He is just beginning to despair, when the mes- 
senger returns, accompanied by a sleepy companion. Both are sur- 
prised at the condition of the horse, and, not observing the wound, 
imagine the animal has been cured by magic. However, to the demands 
of the equine medical attendant, nothing like a tracheotomy tube is to 
be invented. At last the spout of the tea kettle is thought of; and the 
good dame awakens in the morning to find her kettle demolished and 
its spout thrust into the ‘‘plaguy horse’s throat.” 
It is the curse of veterinary surgery, that nobody appears to under- 
stand when an operation is required. The practitioner, therefore, is 
seldom prepared for its performance. The circumstances allow him 
little time to think, and none to return or to fetch the necessary instru- 
ments. 
However, when he has proper time and choice, he should always 
make a free incision through the skin and panniculus carnosus. Make 
this opening about one-third up the neck, measuring from the chest. It 
