312 
WM. R. HOWE. 
diagnosed obstruction of the duct. To prove my diagnosis I 
punctured the most dependent part of the sac with a small trocar 
and obtained a small quantity of saliva. This, of course, relieved 
it. I recommended an operation, but the owner objected to it. 
I then recommended hot fomentations followed by mild stimula¬ 
ting liniment. This did no good, and on the 3d of June I was 
called again and found the part severely blistered. I again punc¬ 
tured, and again recommended an operation, but the owner said 
he would wait. 
On the 6th of June, they decided to have an operation 
performed. After preparation by the administration of chloral 
hydrate §jss. the mare was cast on the left side with the 
head somewhat elevated. After clipping the hair from the 
part a clean cut was made on outside of jaw, parallel with 
the duct, and reaching the highest part of the enlargement. 
In so doing it was found that the artery lay right in the 
way, so the cut was- extended one inch lower down, ex¬ 
posing the enlarged duct. I now made a small incision longitu¬ 
dinally into the duct, and after allowing the imprisoned saliva 
to escape, I introduced a blunt probe, and, with one hand in the 
mouth (using a mouth speculum), worked the probe up the course 
of the duct until within half an inch of the papilla or natural 
opening. I could work it no further, so withdrawing it I sub¬ 
stituted a long silver needle (which was made for this operation), 
armed with No. 4 carbolized catgut, and gently passing it through 
the duct as far as the channel was open, then through the muscle, 
in as near as possible the course of the duct, brought it out just 
anterior to the original opening. 
Then by grasping the point with a strong pair of forceps and 
allowing my assistant to pull while I held my finger to the open¬ 
ing, allowing the flexible needle to slip'over my finger like a rope 
over a pully, in order to prevent laceration, the gut was 
brought out at the angle of the mouth and the two ends tied, 
thus forming a seton. This was kept in three days. The mare 
several times bit the gut in two and rubbed it out, but it was soon 
replaced by arming the same needle and passing it through, eye 
first, and grasping the seton from the mouth, and then withdraw¬ 
ing the needle. This was done without casting. 
