108 
ROBT. S. MACKELLAR. 
The first case that we concluded to try with it was one 
where it was necessary to trephine the sinuses of the head—in 
a bay gelding, in good condition. Two and one-half ounces of 
paraldehyde were given in gelatine capsules, and after waiting 
about fifteen minutes, the operation was performed in the usual 
manner, two openings being made. The animal did not show 
the slightest symptoms of pain during the operation, and the 
only after effects noticeable were a slight dullness and stagger¬ 
ing gait when moved, but this all passed off in the course of an 
hour or so. The second case in which we found it useful was a 
bad one of fistulous withers in a bay gelding, eight years old, 
weighing about 1200 pounds. We decided to operate and open 
up all the sinuses to their bottoms. About three ounces of the 
drug were administered in the same manner as in the previous 
case, and the operation proceeded with after waiting fifteen 
or twenty minutes for the drug to become diffused. At the end 
of this time the persistent odor of the drug could plainly be de¬ 
tected at each expiration. In this case it was necessary to make 
an incision about fourteen inches in length and also to scrape 
the heads of two dorsal vertebrae. The pain of the operation 
was greatly diminished by the use of the drug, but not en¬ 
tirely removed, as in the previous instance, so that in the next 
case it was decided to use a larger quantity. 
The third case was similar to the preceding one, a gelding, 
ten years old, and weighing 1400 pounds. In this case we em¬ 
ployed about 4 y 2 ounces of the drug. After waiting the usual 
time the fistulous tract was opened to the bottom and in this 
case entirely free from pain during the operation. 
We have used the drug in several other cases with equally 
good results, and also have recommended it to one or two other 
practitioners, who report favorably of its action. We would 
recommend it favorably in preference to cocaine where it be¬ 
comes necessary to operate on quite a large surface and the 
operation lasting some time. Tire preparation used in the cases 
cited is prepared by Merck. We hope to hear in the near future 
of some one else who has given the drug a trial. 
