298 REVIEW — THE FLEXIBLE TUBE OR PROBANG. 
windpipe or trachea, from bodies impacted in the throat, so long 
as do the bovine race. Cases have occurred of its having re- 
mained one or two days, or even longer, and yet the patient has 
done well.” 
It will, however, be occasionally necessary to puncture the 
stomach by the introduction of the trocar, in order to avert rup- 
ture, and to allow the obstructing body to pass more readily into 
the paunch. “ If,” says our author, “ an animal is sadly blown, 
from the throat being mechanically blocked up by substances too 
large for deglutition, and that after repeated trials to force it on, 
do not hesitate at once to puncture the rumen. It is an opera- 
tion easy to be performed, and that will be rarely attended by 
any untoward result. In these cases, promptitude with decision 
will be attended with success, while indecision will be punished 
by unprofitable terminations. In all operations be not too dilatory, 
nor yet too impatient. Have self-confidence without being too 
rash or hasty, and frequently that which you considered an insur- 
mountable obstacle one minute, will, before the expiration of the 
ensuing one, be accomplished with ease.” 
The internal coat of the oesophagus is very properly described 
by the author as frequently lacerated by persons unacquainted 
with the structure and course of the gullet, and endeavouring to 
push on, by undue force, the substance that is lodged in the tube. 
The operator may be sure that he is wrong when, on the with- 
drawal of the instrument, its end is covered with blood and 
mucus ; and yet, if the laceration is not too great, the beast may 
recover. Generally speaking, however, when there is much evi- 
dent laceration, it will be an act of humanity to the animal and 
of interest to the owner to order the patient to be slaughtered. 
Rupture of the oesophagus occasionally is found. Too much 
violence has been used in such a case, or there has been too much 
ignorance of the relative situation of the parts. Mr. Read enters 
into this point at considerable length. 
It will appear, from what has been stated, that there is a great 
deal of good matter in this work, and that few of us would rise 
from the perusal of it without considerable benefit. If that would 
be the case, we have no great right to complain if there is some 
occasional bad writing in the work — some forgetfulness of gram- 
matical construction — or the introduction of terms that are to be 
found in no other book. Seated in our critic’s chair, we are 
compelled not entirely to overlook these deviations from common 
usage, but our good feeling towards the author is unimpaired. 
We admire the spirit of kindness towards his patients that per- 
vades his work. He speaks of blood-striking or apoplexy in 
oxen, proceeding from a plethoric condition of the animal — over- 
