TRACHEOTOMY. 
439 
not been determined. It seems probable that it may be a sapo- 
toxin-like substance, as its frothing action suggests, but it may 
be an alkaloid similar to that of veratrine in the various species 
of veratrum, which are closely allied plants. The physiolo¬ 
gical action of veratrum is somewhat similar to that caused by 
the active principle of poison camas. The latter is very fatal, 
especially when given hypodermically. Experiments made on 
rabbits and sheep show that the aqueous extract from seven 
and one-half grains of the fresh leaf is the fatal dose per pound 
weight in rabbits when given hypodermically, and that the 
fatal feeding dose of the fresh plant with roots attached is from 
a half-pound to i pound (about 30 to 60 plants) for a sheep 
weighing about 70 pounds. 
Remedies. —Salt, soda, and lard or fat pork are the remedies 
usually applied by the stockmen in cases of poisoning from 
these plants, but the results are not satisfactory, and it has been 
claimed that there is no known antidote. Hypodermic injec¬ 
tions of strychnine and atropine, both alone and together, with 
morphine, were tried by Dr. Wilcox and the writer without suc¬ 
cess, but the feeding of a permanganate mixture, similar to the 
one already recommended in the case of poisoning by larkspur, 
yielded excellent results, even when administration, as already 
described, is to be recommended at all stages of the poisoning, 
but it is advisable also to use stimulants in the more advanced 
stages. 
TRACHEOTOMY—M’KILLIP’S NEW METHOD. 
By John J. Mieear, V.S., Secretary McKieeip Veterinary 
Coeeege, Chicago, Iee. 
We have been frequently requested by members of the pro¬ 
fession to give our methods adopted in the operation of trache¬ 
otomy, and it is thought best to give in detail the modus 
operandi to the profession generally through the valuable pages 
of the Veterinary Review. 
It was with a view of' overcoming the many complications 
