PKKFOKMANCE OF TRACHEOTOMY IN A COW. 
89 
pharynx or gullet; but, on examining, I found that both the 
subniaxillaiy and parotid glands were much swollen. The cough 
was so violent, that she ejected her urine at each paroxysm of it, 
and pawed the ground violently with her fore feet. I inquired 
how long she had been in this state, and, to my great surprise, 
was told about two months. I imagine, however, that 1 now 
saw her in one of her most violent paroxysms. I told the owner 
that I was convinced there was something in her throat, and 
that T would immediately find out what it was, if I could : so, 
with the assistance of two men on each side of the cow, 1 intro¬ 
duced what I call my mouth extender,’^ an instrument much in 
form like a woman’s patten, with an ear on each side about six 
inches long, and a strap in each to buckle over the poll. With 
the help of this instrument 1 examined the back part of the 
mouth and the whole of the pharynx, but no foreign body could 
I find, only considerable swelling about the larynx and back part 
of the mouth. I then called to mind all the diseases that could 
affect these parts, but I could not fix on any thing satisfactory. 
On the following day I cast the cow, and examined her again, 
and introduced a probang up the nostrils, as there seemed to be 
the greatest obstruction. I likewise opened one of the nostrils at 
the lower part, and introduced my finger. After all my examina¬ 
tion, I could only satisfy myself that the swelling was more con¬ 
siderable on the off side than on the near. I applied a blister 
all round the throat, from one ear to the other. 
16M.—The blister acts well. The discharge from the nostrils 
is not so foetid ; but there is no relief to the throat. 
20M.—The discharge fiom the nostrils has ceased, yet the 
animal is but little better in other respects. There is no constitu¬ 
tional derangement; little or no fever; but the cough is as urgent 
as ever. 
—No change. I proposed tracheotomy, but the owner 
would not consent, being quite assured that such an operation 
must kill the beast. 
May d>th .—No amendment having taken place, the owner 
consented that tracheotomy should be tried. The cow was taken 
into a croft adjoining the house. Nearly twenty spectators were 
assembled, the majority of whom expressed their disapprobation 
of the operation in no measured terms. What! cut the wind¬ 
pipe? If that is cut, the cow must die in a moment.” How¬ 
ever, I set to work; and the operation being performed, the cow 
got up, went away perfectly cured, began immediately to graze, 
and not a cough or hoose was heard, although I staid with her 
more than an hour. 
\)lh .— She was almost as bad as yesterday : the tube hud be- 
