314 
F. TORRANCE. 
is carefully watched. It should be easy and natural. If hur¬ 
ried, shallow breathing comes on, more chloroform should be 
given, while if it is unduly slow or sighing, more air should be 
allowed. Oral breathing is quite frequent during administra¬ 
tion of chloroform, and not much importance need be attached 
to it, but it interferes with the proper inhalation, and sometimes 
it is necessary to stuff a towel in the mouth to prevent it. As 
soon as the second stage is reached, I hand over the chloiroform 
and the sponge to the assistant. Draw out the tongue, and let 
it hang out of the side of the mouth.. It is a useful guide to an 
unqualified assistant as to the amount of chloroform to give, as 
the horse will show by twitching the tongue if consciousness is 
returning. 
By these simple meaiis I have chloroformed a large number 
of horses, as well as cattle, and have never seen any bad results 
from it, but have found it of immense value in all severe opera¬ 
tions, such as embryotomy in mares and cows, and the surgical 
treatment-of large hernias. In cases of difficult parturition it is 
extremely useful, as it abolishes straining, and renders the neces¬ 
sary manipulations much easier. Sometimes in difficult cases 
of this kind I have kept the animal under chloroform for hours 
without any ill effect, so the danger of an overdose must be very 
slight. 
The effect of the chloroform will continue for some little 
time after inhalation has ceased, and it is necessary, while the 
animal is coming to, to have the legs secured, and some one to 
hold the head. Otherwise the horse may attempt to get up be¬ 
fore he is able to stand, and would flounder about, and perhaps 
hurt himself. The time during which he should be watched is 
not very long, usually lo or 15 minutes, and is longer in pro¬ 
portion to the amount of chloroform he has inhaled. Unless 
there is some special reason, it is better not to force the animal 
to get up until he is ready, as it is impossible to tell just when 
he will be able to stand. A good rough guide is the smell of 
chloroform on his breath. If strong, do not try to get him up, 
but if faint, he may. be got up at once. 
