456 
REPORTS OP CASES. 
drachm of the ten per cent, aqueous solution of the hydro- 
chlorate was used. The haemostatic precautions were the 
same in both cases, and in each case procured an almost blood- 
less operation. In the latter case there was some swamping 
of the tissues with clear fluids, composed probably of lymph 
and the cocaine solution. The local anaesthesia pioduced by 
the cocaine was so complete, that during the dissection of 
dermal, connective, and nerve tissues, the mare nevei once 
quivered. So much was this the case that a little comparative 
examination was required to distinguish the nerve from the 
artery. 
It is stated by some that the death rate of horses due to the 
use of chloroform is five per cent. The dangers to which the 
patient is exposed by this general anaesthetic are chiefly res¬ 
piratory and cardiac arrest, and proneness to haemorrhage 
induced by the lowering of the tone of blood vessels and their 
consequent dilatation. The danger of constitutional disturb¬ 
ance from the use of cocaine is practically nil. The tempor¬ 
ary loss of sensibility in the part may continue for a length of 
time not exceeding a few hours. One great advantage of 
cocaine over chloroform, especially in minor operations, lies 
in the fact that it can be employed where the risk of death by 
use of chloroform would be excessive, as for instance in cases 
in which the patient suffered from any form of heart disease, 
or of any chronic affection of the respiratory system, as 
emphysema, lung consolidation, or roaring. The question re¬ 
solves itself into one of general versus local anaesthesia. It is 
undeniable that, in most major operations, general anaesthesia 
is absolutely necessary, and patients suffering from serious 
defects in their circulatory or respiratory systems may, on 
their account, be beyond the reach of surgical interference. 
Still, in veterinary practice many operations are undertaken 
by aid of general anaesthetics, which might safely be per¬ 
formed under a local one. The more general use of local 
anaesthetics should be encouraged, because it is the more 
scientific, that is to say, if in an operation there is a choice be¬ 
tween a local and a general anaesthetic, the former should be 
chosen every time, because it eliminates from the case the con- 
