CHAPTER IX. 
OPERATIONS. 
Administration of Anesthetics. Firing. Bleeding. 
‘ADMINISTRATION OF ANASTHETICS. 
BEFORE performing a serious operation, it is generally customary to put the 
horse under -the influence of an anesthetic. Chloroform is the agent we 
almost exclusively employ for this purpose. Contrary to a notion somewhat 
widely spread, we may state emphatically that when administered carefully, 
there is not the slightest risk attending its use in healthy horses. The late 
Mr. D. Gresswell employed this agent for producing anesthesia for many 
years in almost all serious operations on the horse in his extensive practice, 
- and never saw any ill effect attending or following its administration. We 
have likewise used it very extensively, and have never known of any untoward 
results caused by its inhalation. During the administration, however, it is 
necessary to feel the pulse at intervals ; for chloroform has a tendency to 
reduce the tension in the blood vessels, while ether has no appreciable effect 
of this kind. Three to five ounces of chloroform are generally effectual in 
causing insensibility. It is our practice to pour two ounces of chloroform 
into Gresswell’s chloroform cap, an apparatus of which we append an 
illustration, and then to adjust it over the mouth of the animal. 
We add amounts of about half an ounce at intervals, as may be necessary. 
If a horse struggles much, he generally requires a larger amount than if he 
‘breathes slowly and quietly. In some cases, we have found it necessary to 
give as much as six ounces before anzsthesia was complete. The idea of the 
danger of giving chloroform to the horse has doubtless arisen from the 
results of the wrong modes in which it is sometimes administered. 
Practically, the method we recommend will: prove thoroughly reliable. An 
idea of the degree of insensibility produced by the chloroform inhaled may 
be gained by observing whether the eye is sensitive to the touch, or does not 
respond to the irritation caused when anything is brought into contact with 
it. When the operation is over, and the shackles with which the animal has 
been cast are loosened, it is well to give a good bran mash; but it is not 
advisable to dash water over him, or otherwise unnecessarily annoy and 
irritate him with no possible object. Should suffocation threaten, and the 
pulse show any sign of failing, the cap should be at once removed, and cold 
water dashed over the head. 
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