CASES OF IRREGULAR STRANGLES. 
495 
After freely exposing its anterior surface to the requisite 
extent, a circular piece of about one inch in diameter was 
removed from that part of the windpipe, corresponding to the 
central portion of the first incision. In the opening thus 
made the tracheotomy tube was placed and secured ; imme- 
diate relief was afforded when the windpipe was opened. 
After the operation w-as concluded, the mare seemed disposed, 
but not able, to eat ; she was ordered to have gruel or bran 
w T ater to drink, no other food of any kind to be given for fear 
of choking. 
19th. — Has drunk pretty w 7 ell since the operation, and is 
looking much better than before. On taking out the tube, 
in order to clean it, the integuments, for the sake of experi- 
ment, were pressed together over the w 7 ound, and difficulty of 
breathing speedily returned. Plenty of good thick gruel to be 
allowed, for she drinks this in fair quantity ; food cannot be 
swallowed readily. 
20th. — A great quantity of matter came from the nose and 
mouth to-day, and must be the contents of an abscess. 
From the 21st she became daily better able to eat. The 
appetite w ? as positively voracious a week after the operation. 
At this time the tube w as removed, the wound w as dressed, 
and allowed to heal up. The discharge of matter from the 
nose continued more or less for about ten days, but the dis- 
charge from the breast continued until the 16th of July. 
At this time July 19th, the mare is perfectly well, and has 
regained her condition wonderfully, all the wounds (in- 
cluding that made into the windpipe), are closed ; she has not 
any cough, does not show 7 any sign of ce roaring 99 or other 
defect in wind, and is ready for work. 
Remarks. This case presents several peculiarities : 
1. The suppurative action extended to the unusually long 
period of an entire month. 
2. Some of the abscesses were recurrent, and formed three 
consecutive times in the sublingual lymphatic glands. 
3. Others, and by far the largest of the abscesses, occurred 
in more unusual situations ; viz., under the parotid salivary 
gland, along the right jugular channel, and in front of the 
chest. 
4. Another abscess formed in a situation not accurately 
ascertained, but in such a locality as to induce danger of 
suffocation ; this rendered tracheotomy necessary, in order to 
preserve life until the sac opened naturally, and its contents 
escaped through the nose and mouth. 
I am aware that some practitioners think it of little 
importance whether strangles be accompanied by copious, or 
