EXTRACTS FROM EXCHANGES. 
927 
therefore, in the summer session of 1900, in an experimental 
way administered in 75 cases chloral hydrate before the opera¬ 
tions. The form of application of the chloral hydrate was ex¬ 
clusively rectal, with the following formula : 
Chlorali hyclrati, 150.0 
Gummi arabici, 75.0 
Aquae destil., 3000.0 
M. f. emulsio. 
The amount of 150.0 gm. chloral hydrate is equivalent to 
one and a half doses ; it is advisable to prescribe a slight surplus, 
as very frequently some is wasted. The effect takes place in 
about half to one hour, and appears to be in young horses 
stronger than in old ; in common-bred horses the anaesthetic 
acts more powerfully and will come on sooner than in thorough¬ 
bred animals. The anaesthesia manifests itself by swaying, 
falling, sleepiness and closing of the eyes. Some horses fall 
into a deep lasting sleep, during which they snore aloud. As 
in some horses the muscular weakness is so great that they sink 
down, it is advisable to perform the infusion at the place of 
operation. In relation to the motoric weakness, the sensibility 
is not reduced to the same degree ; complete anaesthesia was 
only observed in a few cases. The duration of the anaesthesia 
varies in the same way as the intensity, and lasts on an average 
of from one to two hours. In three cases, there were also ob¬ 
served a few hours after the operation symptoms of choking 
and vomiting ; therefore, it is not advisable to feed the horses 
too soon after the operation. In one case three and a half hours 
after the operation, there was a prolapse of the rectum of the 
size of a man’s head, which in spite of repeated repositions and 
applications of cocaine ointments, repeatedly made its appear¬ 
ance at intervals of half an hour, finally remaining in place 
the following day after the operation. Frohner thinks it very 
probable that the chloral hydrate during five days standing of 
the emulsion, in a hot room (August heat), and periodically 
directly exposed to the sun’s rays, under the influence of these 
two factors, through absorption of oxygen, partly changed into 
trichloracetic acid. Frohner also made some experiments with 
the combination of morphine and chloral hydrate, but which he 
cannot recommend, and concludes his observations as follows : 
Chloral hydrate, rectally, freshly prepared, strongly diluted in 
a slimy emulsion, is the best general anaesthetic for the horse, 
where a very deep anaesthesia is not required. For these cases 
it is to be decidedly preferred to the morphine and chloroform. 
—( Moncitschr. f. pract. Thierheilk .) 
