628 DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY. 
chlorine, feebly united with potassium, barium and sodium, is 
being introduced to the veterinary profession by the United 
Pharmacal Company of Chicago, under the above proprietary 
name. Physically it resembles the granular salines, and like 
them is freely soluble. It is recommended both in solution and 
as a dry powder for the treatment of suppurating wounds and 
indolent lesions of any kind. The theory upon which its effi¬ 
cacy is based, and which seems to be borne out by observation, 
is that in the presence of living tissues the compound gradually 
liberates its oxygen and chloriue ; the former entering and thus 
nourishing the tissues, while the latter disinfects them. The 
union of the oxygen and chlorine with the other elements is 
said to be so unstable that when the natural affinity of the 
tissues extracts the oxygen from the compound the chlorine is 
liberated in the proportion of 6 parts to 56 parts of oxygen, 
thus preventing cauterization. The manufacturers make the 
strong claim that oxychlorine will promptly disinfect as well as 
nourish any infected wound without destroying a single cell. It 
is non-poisonous as well as non-irritant.—( L . A. M.) 
That the close relation of the velum and larynx of horses is 
a factor in the cause of many laryngeal coughs is demonstrated 
by the fact that staphylotomy performed upon two horses imme¬ 
diately cured their cough of several years’ standing. Staphy¬ 
lotomy consists of a division of the soft palate in the median 
line from its posterior border to the palatine bone. (See Wil- 
liatns-Pfieffer’s “Surgical Operations.”)—( L . A. M.) 
If any veterinarian has ever substituted vasectomy or resec¬ 
tion of the spermatic cord for castration, we would be pleased 
to report a correct statement of the operation and its results in 
connection with castration, which will appear in the “ Depart¬ 
ment of Surgery ” in some future number of the Review. Due 
credit will be given each operator for his effort.— (E. M.) 
When the abdominal cavity or the uterus is irritated after 
abdominal operations, there is danger of poisoning from toxic 
substances such as carbolic acid or bichloride of mercury used 
as antiseptics. The best solution to employ in this procedure 
is sterilized water or a saline solution at a temperature not ex¬ 
ceeding no degrees Fahrenheit.—( E . M.) 
At a recent veterinary association meeting twelve members 
handed the Secretary their subscriptions to the Review. This 
is recorded for the reason that it is exceptional, while it should 
be the rule. 
