PRACTICAL ANAESTHESIA 305 



cautery is used in the neighborhood of the mouth. Ether 

 is the most suitable ansesthetic for cats and dogs, unless the 

 animal is suffering from bronchitis, emphysema or asthma, 

 when chloroform is more appropriate. Chloroform, being 

 more rapid and less irritating, may in any case be employed 

 to begin anaesthesia, which should then be maintained by 

 ether. The use of anaesthetics is contraindicated in anemia 

 if the hemoglobin is reduced below 50 per cent. 

 PRACTICAL ANiESTHESL^. 



The horse should be starved for twelve hours, and 

 should receive a cathartic twenty-four hours before anses- 

 thetization, in order to afford more room for the respiratory 

 movements and prevent accidents in casting.* A specially 

 constructed inhaler, or nose bag, strapped about the head, 

 may be employed for convenience. Harger recommends 

 placing a sponge wrapped loosely in flannel, in the upper 

 nostril, as the animal lies upon his side upon the ground, 

 and after a few minutes a similar sponge is introduced into 

 the lower nostril. 



Chloroform is then administered in continuous drop 

 doses from a bottle having a cork nicked upon the side 

 suffiioiently to allow the anaesthetic to flow out in this small 

 quantity. The nostrils should be previously smeared with 

 vaseline to afford protection from the irritation of the 

 chloroform. If the operation is prolonged, anaesthesia may 

 be carried on with ether. It is not essential to cast a horse 

 before chloroformization, but the animal should be con- 

 trolled with side lines, and a twitch should be placed upon 

 the nose, unless an inhaler is used. Since there is com- 

 monly more or less struggling, it is, however, more satisfac- 

 tory to cast an animal before anaesthesia is begun. The 

 writer has given chloroform in several instances to horses 

 in the standing position until they fell or were pushed over 

 upon a straw bed, with the aid of only one assistant. In 

 thus producing angestliesia, a sponge covered with a towel 

 was used, and this was saturated with about half an ounce 



♦ HvDoderinic injections of morphine (see tqotnote, p. 391) fifteen minute|^ 

 before Anesthesia is often of advantage. It diminishes excitement and allows of 

 tteule(?f a smaller amount of the anesthetic. It is very important that all pre- 

 Hminlrv procedures should he done-as casting, preparation of the operative field, 

 Ste-be?o?e the chloroform is begun, to lessen the necessar>' amoimt ot the anes- 

 fheVic A drachm or two of chloroform may be placed on each sponge as an 

 iStlal dose7to hSten the anesthesia, while af tei' this the method of constant 

 dropping is to he preferred. 



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