224 
G. ARCHIE STOCKWELL. 
weeks ; or that a sinus was the result, with a chronic fistula. 
This is true, for many such cases come under my observation, 
having been treated by veterinarians with such complications 
resulting. The cause of failure in producing a radical 
cure has been, in cases where there has been a recurrence of 
the abscess, in not cauterizing the cavity sufficiently or allow¬ 
ing the tract to close up too soon. When cases of fistula result 
it is where tents of oakum are continuously introduced, form¬ 
ing a source of chronic irritation and a pyogenic membrane 
forms in the tract. The obliteration of this callous surface 
must be effected by means of processes for establishing healthy 
granulations in the tract; so soon as the pyogenic membrane 
disappears from the walls of the canal and granulations are 
set up, an effort should be made to bring about the process of 
union by granulation. 
There is a serious complication liable to take place from 
cauterization with the actual cautery. At the time the slough¬ 
ing process takes place it may carry away a portion of the 
large bloodvessels, giving rise to a profuse hemorrhage, which 
is difficult to control, requiring from twenty-four to forty- 
eight hours of firm pressure and plugging of the cavity. For¬ 
tunately this accident has only taken place once in my practice 
and was with the utmost difficulty stopped by plugging and 
firm pressure with a strapping apparatus applied around the 
base of the neck and body. 
This serious complication can be overcome by not cauter¬ 
izing too severely on the jugular side of the neck. In all cases 
where the enlargement lies close to the jugular groove the 
mass should be pushed over by an assistant before using the 
cautery. 
A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF AN/ESTHETICS. 
By Dr. G. Aeohie Stookwell, F.Z.S., 
Member of the New Sydenham Society, London, Eug. 
The question of preference in the selection of an anaesthe¬ 
tic for general or even special purposes, is still in many quar¬ 
ters a moot one. Chloroform, ether, methylene chloride, 
