122 
CYSTIC CALCULUS IN THE HORSE. 
saturated with chloroform, were applied to the nostrils, and 
after inhaling the vapour for about seven minutes, he was 
brought completely under the anaesthetic influence of the 
agent. A whalebone staff was now passed along the urethra 
as high up as the ischial arch, at which place it was cut down 
upon, and the incision extended in the perineum towards 
the anal opening sufficiently to admit the introduction of 
a pair of middle-sized spoon-billed forceps. These, on 
being passed into the bladder, came at once in contact with 
the calculus, which was easily grasped by them. In the first 
effort made to remove the stone, a portion of it was broken 
off, and the fragment brought out by the instrument. Another 
attempt was then made, and the calculus being more fully 
embraced by the forceps, it was with some little difficulty, 
and by steady and persistent traction, extracted — the principal 
obstruction to its withdrawal existing in its passage through 
the prostatic portion of the urethra. The bladder was sub- 
sequently washed out, with tepid water injected by means of 
a catheter attached to the stomach-pump. Two or three 
sutures closed the wound in the perineum. The operation 
being thus completed, the horse was released from the 
hobbles, and allowed to rise. During the time occupied in 
the performance of the operation, it was found necessary to 
remove the sponges containing the chloroform from the 
animal’s nostrils for a few minutes at a time to prevent any 
serious consequences being produced by the hypnotic. The 
horse was thus safely kept under the influence of the agent 
for nearly three quarters of an hour ; the operation itself 
lasting about twenty-five minutes. After the chloroform had 
been inhaled about eight minutes, the pulse rose to 46, at 
which it continued until the animal w as allowed to get up. 
But little blood was lost during the operation, and shortly 
after the horse rose he urinated freely through the natural 
channel. 
The patient was then led back to his box, and quietude 
enjoined. At five o’clock p.m., he was again observed to 
pass his urine without pain, a very small portion of it only 
escaping through the wound. The faeces were also voided in 
a natural state. Ten o’clock p.m., pulse 40. No swelling of 
the parts as yet exists, the appetite is good, and the animal is 
apparently free from pain: left for the night. 
November 26. — The symptoms are precisely the same as 
last evening. The general appearance of the animal and the 
wound is favorable, and the appetite continues good. 
27 th. — Pulse 32, and soft. Urinating freely, none of it 
passing through the vround ; faeces soft ; appetite good. 
