570 OPERATION OF TRACHEOTOMY IN THE HORSE. 
way as the first one. I at once unbuckled the strap, and re¬ 
moved the shoulder as carefully as possible, for I could see 
the tube occupying its proper place, but in my attempt to lay 
hold of it, the horse started back and down it slipped. As 
I was certain that I had no instrument in my possession 
adapted to remedy this dilemma, I determined to call on you 
as soon as I could, but before I started I made the aperture 
in the trachea larger, thinking that perhaps a fit of coughing 
might come to my assistance during my absence. This luchily 
was the case . The horsekeeper, finding the animal was seized 
with a severe fit of coughing, watched him, and in this in¬ 
stance, too, the tube was forced out of the aperture in the 
trachea. I did not think it necessary to insert another tube 
in my first patient, but with regard to the second it was other¬ 
wise ; but I took the precaution to have the two pieces of metal 
fastened together with wire, holes being drilled, and the wire 
threaded through. Other means I have no doubt could be 
adopted in the manufacture of these tubes, which would prove 
quite as effectual; but of this I am certain, that the general 
wav of soldering the bent cylinder to the shoulder is unsafe. 
Should you deem this subject of sufficient importance to 
make any comments upon it for publication, you are at perfect 
liberty to do so. 
1 remain, 
Your obedient servant. 
To G. W. Varnell, Esq. 
REMARKS ON THE ABOVE, BY ASSISTANT-PROFESSOR 
VARNELL. 
The above cases appear to me worth recording, not wholly 
on account of the results, which fortunately were satisfactory, 
but on account of the consequence that might have arisen, 
had not accident, for such it must be called, determined 
it otherwise. 
Tracheotomy is never performed except in very urgent 
cases, and then only as a last resource. The operation itself 
is very simple, as every veterinary surgeon is aware ; and no 
particular merit is due to any one for being able to perform it. 
But with regard to the time, in any particular case, when it 
should be performed, or whether it should be done at all, 
requires not only a sound judgment to be exercised, but also 
an accurate diagnosis to be made of the pathological con¬ 
dition of the parts affected. 
In cases of laryngeal disease, impeding free respiration, no 
