The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-05-05
REM ARKABLE SURGERY.
Removing Water from the Chest
Cavity OF a Horse.

cincinnati Commercial Gazettel
remarkable operation was performed
upon horse yesterday afternoon by veter-
mary surgeon in the auction stable Of Charley
Kahn, on West Fifth street. The animal Is
afflicted with pleuro-pneumonia and hydro
thorax, or what is more commonly known as
dropsy of the chest. The symptoms Of the
disease were first apparent some three weeks
ago, and the horse, which up to that time was
classed as the finest and most healthful in
the stable. fell away rapidly in weight until
it became a mere skeleton.
Ten days ago the animal was given up, as
the case was considered hopeless by expert
veterinaries. The services Of the young vet
Urinary surgeon, l.. A. Anderson, were then
sought by Mr.. Kahn, who was willing to stand
any liberal sum, even in the vain hope Of
saving his valuable animal Dr. Anderson,
after a careful examination, found that the
horse was suffering with dropsy, and that
large quantity Of water had accumulated in
the cavity allotted for the expansion Of the
lungs. This was made evident from the flank
ing distress breathing, and not until the water
was removed could the brute be given relief.
BY the insertion of an instrument, commonly
known as a trocar-and it can be safely said
that there are but one or two veterinaries In
the city who can use it with success-be-
tween the ribs into the lung cavity, and upon
the withdrawal of the barb which makes the
puncture tube remains, through which the
water is easily removed.
The operation during the past ten days has
been reformed every tWenty-four hours, and
in all eighteen gallons OF water were removed
At the operation Of yesterday afternoon a
Commercial reporter was present through
the courtesy of Mr.. Kahn. While prepare
tiOns were being made for the insertion Of
the trocar which Is about the size OF a COM
mon lead pencil some inches in length,
made of brightly polished steel, the animal
was breathing with much difficulty. One of
the attaches Of the stable was instructed TO
hold the horses head and the surgeon, after
carefully examining the animals side, thrust
the sharp instrument between two or the fore
ribs to dephth of inches. The operation
was performed in so short a space Of time az
to give the horse but little pain. Upon the
removal of the barb which made the punet-
ure stream Of water shot through the tube
of greenish color, and was received into a
large wooden bucket. The water flowed
steadily for fully ten minutes, filling the
bucket to within II inches OF the brim. Ii
was still running briskly as the tube was re-
moved. The operation gave the animal great
relief, and he walked about the small incl0s-
ure looking for something to eat. A bucket
about third full OF beer was given MIN 70
drink, which seemed to stimulate him. His
chief diet is Gags, milk and beer.
Inc Sdlu H. AIuCAoOns -
very weakening, and 1t is chiefly for this
reason he is given a stimulant You could
place bucket full Of beer and a pail of water
before him and he would choose the former.
He eats hay and oats quite freely. In case
the water should still continue to accumulate
a section of one Of the ribs will be removed
and the cavity well washed out with diluted
tiucture of iodine. A constant drainage will
be kept up by leaving small rubber tube
within"
Mr. Kahn has now some hope of saving the
horse. as he shows much improvement, and
he also bases his expectation on the fact that
DIR. Anderson has cured animals that were
similarly afflicted. At the operation yester-
day fhere were a large number of well known
horsemen present, who took keen interest
in the case, for the reason that many sup
posed the horse incurable Similar opera
lions have been performed upon human
beings, but It Is done at great risk, and as
horse