506 
DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY. 
than the inside of a covered pot. In choosing the liquid with 
which to make an antiseptic solution it would of course be 
preferable to demand boiled or sterilized water, but it is need¬ 
less to state that such can seldom be readily obtained, in view 
of which fact we must be content with water from other 
sources. Tap water of cities is always dangerous and well 
water (except possibly of deep, drilled wells) is no better. 
Spring water as it comes from the earth or well water from a 
drilled well that is used continually may be reasonably sup¬ 
posed to be free from bacteria. While it is of course not al¬ 
ways convenient to secure just what is wanted we should al¬ 
ways use doubtful water with a full knowledge of the dangers 
that may emanate from them. Avoid, when possible, any form 
of surface water, pool water, ordinary well water, city tap wa¬ 
ter, creek or river water, and above all things avoid using water 
in stable pails.—( L . A. Ml) 
A new method of performing tracheotomy that is proving 
very successful consists of inserting a flattened tube between the 
rings instead of cutting them. The marked and immediate 
relief obtained and the simplicity of the operation of tracheo¬ 
tomy makes it very enticing to the young practitioner, who 
seldom fails to resort to it on the least provocation ; but the old 
experienced surgeon has learned to regard tracheotomy as really 
a dangerous procedure, and operates reluctantly and as seldom 
as possible, because many animals so treated are rendered use¬ 
less from tracheal stenosis. The new method is believed to 
obviate this sequel. Veterinarians should try it and observe 
the results.— (L. A . Ml) 
This department neither recommends nor condemns the 
various neurectomies for the cure of spavin lameness that are 
receiving so much attention at present in current veterinary lit¬ 
erature, but in the face of the very complex distribution of the 
nerves of the pelvic limb we are unable to comprehend how a 
neurectomy of the peroneal or posterior tibial (sciatic) nerves, 
or of both, just above the articulation, can prove effective, and 
certainly, at this writing, the results would indicate that the 
real neurectomy for spavin is not yet among u the powers that 
be.”—(Z. A. Ml) 
To obtain the best results from low plantar, or in fact any 
neurectomy, the patient should be allowed a protracted rest 
after the operation. A month’s run at grass or in a loose pad- 
dock, as circumstances permit, will always pay both the client 
and surgeon for the extra time and expense. Such a course 
