POIvYPUS OF THE BRONCHIAI, TUBES. 



Like other mucous membranes, that covering the bronchial 

 tubes, is liable to diseased growths, which may each remain attached 

 by a broad base, and form a morbid elevation of the surface, or 

 it may become loosened and retain its connection with the mucous 

 membrane only by a neck or pedicle. An interesting case of the 

 latter variety is recorded in the Edinburgh Veterinary Review for 

 January, 1864, by Mr. Parker of Birmingham. It was attached 

 to the wall of the right bronchus about an inch below the bifur- 

 cation of the trachea, and had an ovoid form measuring 8^ inches 

 in its longest circumference by 4)^ in its shorter. The pedicle was 

 I J^ inch long and allowed the tumor to pass freely upward into 

 the lower part of the windpipe, threatening instant suffocation. It 

 had a fibrous structure and was continous with the interlacing 

 bundles of yellow elastic tissues which cover the cartilaginous 

 rings of the bronchus. 



From its frequent displacement upward the tumor gave rise to 

 paroxysms of hurried and difiicult breathing apparently threaten- 

 ing suffocation, but when these passed off, respiration was tolera- 

 bly tranquil and easy. The fits of dyspnoea came on after any 

 unwonted excitement, but above all after a cough. In such cases 

 the tumor had been coughed up into the lower end of the wind- 

 pipe and until it slid back into its former position, the animal 

 seemed on the very verge of death. The paroxysms had appeared 

 very frequently during a period of five months that had elapsed 

 since her purchase, increasing steadily in severity and finally 

 causing death. The lungs contained many small abscesses the 

 result doubtless of the frequent paroxysms of dyspnoea. 



Cases of this kind are not usually amenable to treatment, nev- 

 ertheless as they are pretty certain to end fatally if neglected, it 

 would be quite permissible to perform tracheotomy in the lower 

 part of the neck and attempt to snare the tumor with an elastic 

 wire passed through a single or double tube. The tumor might 

 even be seized by a vulsella and twisted off, provided it could be 

 reached. 



19 289 



