OF THE HORSE. 
325 
The conch being now drawn backwards by the assistant, he 
proceeds to the separation of the cartilage from the parts that 
are connected with it anteriorly and exteriorly. He divides the 
scuto-auricular and parotido-auricular muscles, the subcutaneous 
auricular plexuses, and the anterior-auricular nerve and artery : 
it will be necessary to tie this last vessel. He then isolates 
the anterior branch of the parotid, and arrives at the narrow and 
rounded part of the cartilage. 
Then, bringing the ear down by the side of the larynx, he 
divides the parieto-auricular muscle, and, turning the convexity 
of the cartilage downwards, comes to the inferior part and the 
fibrous ligament which unites the conch to the annular cartilages. 
Now, taking the conch between his finger and thumb, he tries 
whether it is completely separated from the surrounding parts, 
which he ascertains by the flexibility of the fibrous ligament: 
he then cuts this ligament across, and the conch is extirpated. 
The incision across this ligament is essential, because it renders 
the wound a simple one, and prevents subsequent caries of the 
remaining portion of the conch, and of the annular cartilage 
which was involved with it. 
The wound ought to be well washed with cold water, and then 
sponged clean : after which, having assured himself of the safety 
of the ligatures, the operator unites the threads, and places them 
in the external and inferior angle of the wound. Putting a 
pledget of tow, rolled round and hard at one extremity, over 
the auricular canal, in order to prevent the flowing of the blood 
into the interior of the ear, and bringing the other extremity of 
the pledget over the spot at which he had placed the ligatures, 
he proceeds to bring the lips of the wound together, uniting 
them by means of the suture d surjet (uninterrupted), com¬ 
mencing at the superior part, and leaving an opening below for 
the pledget, the ligatures, and the escape of the pus. 
The horse being led into the stable, must be tied up to the 
rack, in order to prevent him from rubbing his ear. 
On the third day pus generally begins to escape at the infe¬ 
rior opening, and at this period the ligatures, the suture, and the 
pledget, may be withdrawn—the last should be replaced by a 
smaller one, in order to absorb the pus. About the 15th day, 
the wound is generally healed : on the 8th day, the horse may 
go to work, or even sooner, if necessary, the wound being de¬ 
fended by a light bandage. 
Rcciiei/, Dec. 1834. 
N y 
VOI,. VIII. 
