384 
POST-MUSCULAR TRACHEAL ABSCESS. DEATH. 
felt, her nostrils were widely distended and bleeding quite pro¬ 
fusely, the countenance haggard and manifesting probable disso¬ 
lution unless quick relief should be given. 
Preparations were actively pushed for the operation of trach¬ 
eotomy, but before everything was ready the mare staggered, 
fell down and stopped breathing. 
With rapidity, as was required by the state of the patient, 
a longitudinal incision was made through the trachea, but it was 
found that a large tube could not be introduced. It was only 
with difficulty that the longest and narrowest tube was placed, 
and artificial respiration begun by pressure of the ribs. For over 
fifteen minutes the work of respiration was carried on, and was 
at last rewarded by a sigh taking place at long intervals; these 
increased in rapidity, and finally an attempt by the mare to raise 
her head, neck and front legs was made. 
Allowing her a little rest to recover from the severe trial 
she had just passed through, and the respiration remaining yet 
very difficult and labored, it was found necessary to change the 
tube. The one she had in was narrow and evidently insufficient 
to allow a free introduction of air. Tubes of different sizes and of 
different construction were brought into use, but none were found 
which could give relief. Some of them seemed in fact perfectly 
useless, as neither entrance or exit of air could be felt while they 
were in place. 
The finger being introduced into the trachea, the calibre of 
this canal was found much reduced in size, in fact, so much so that 
it would scarcely allow the introduction of the little fingei. The 
mucous membrane was swollen and it was feared that this condition 
of the organ extended all the way down. Above the incision, the 
trachea was of dark color, somewhat swollen also, although nothing 
like it was below. 
The tube which seemed to give the most relief was then 
reintroduced and the animal made as comfortable as possible. 
She died a few hours afterwards. 
The post mortem revealed a stricture of the trachea at the 
part where the original operation was performed, with deformation 
and extensive calcification, the diameter of the organ being 
