328 
W. L. WILLIAMS. 
operation, but rather to point out possible errors and obsta¬ 
cles which the inexperienced operator may encounter, as well 
as some of the pathological changes which may follow and 
thwart our efforts to remedy the unsoundness of the animal. 
The subject, a four-year-old heavy draft gelding, was so 
badly affected as to be utterly worthless, being not only in¬ 
capable of any labor on account of the extreme dyspnoea, but 
did not cease to roar loudly with each inspiration when 
standing quietly in the stall. The case was so unusually se¬ 
vere, that bi-lateral disease was suspected, but careful exami¬ 
nation revealed a distinct depression over the left arytasnoid 
cartilage, while the right appeared, so far as could be detected 
by external manipulation, to be in its normal position. 
The animal was presented for operation at our infirmary, 
October 19th, 1887, and it was undertaken without the full 
complement of instruments advised by Dr. Fleming, ordinary 
straight scalpels and finger knives being substituted for the 
special knives recommended, but at that time not procurable 
here. We aimed to follow the Fleming method throughout, 
and so will note only the points of special interest. 
On opening the larynx the left arytasnoid was seen to be 
perfectly passive, while the right cartilage was active .and 
apparently normal. Quite unexpectedly we found about one 
or two fluid ounces of a thick viscid mucus resting in the con¬ 
cavity formed by the arytasnoid and cricoid cartilages, which 
it was necessary to remove before proceding further, and 
probably owing to our surprise, we attempted to dislodge it 
with the sponges, by which we lost valuable time, permitting 
our patient to partly recover from the anaesthesia before we 
were ready for the essential part of the operation—the exci¬ 
sion of the cartilage—and we were put to the necessity of 
holding the la^ngeal wound shut until anassthesia could 
again be produced. The left arytasnoid cartilage and left 
vocal cords were then carefully removed, except with possibly 
some haste, fearing. a second return to consciousness before 
the completion of our operation. 
Although, as stated, we followed as closely as possible the 
modus operandi of Dr. Fleming, we found, when the horse had 
regained his feet, that the hemorrhage from the seat of exci- 
