Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1896-04-17
SILVER TUBES FOR "RoARERs."
rrcheotomy n Device to Which English
Veterinarians Often Rcsort.

Veterinarians Often Rcsort.
AT the second January meeting in
Manchester il was noted with interest
by racing men that the Horses which
came in first, second and fourth had un-
dergone the operation of tracheotomy,
and carried silver tubes in their wind
pipes. Among the principal draw
backs to the breeding and owning of
horses of all classes is the affection
known as roaring" The heavier breeds
are probably more commonly its sub
ject, but when the otherwise valuable
race horse is it's victim its effects are
nccentuated and the sphere of interest
enlarged.
The noise emitted during forced eXer-
tion by the "roarer' depends mainly on
obstruction to the current of inspired
mir through the larynx. The sound is
variously attributed to depression of
the trytenoid and to relaxation of the
vocal cord or the loose aryteno-epiglotti-
dean folds but there is general agree
ment that the paralysis of the muscles
of the larynx on which the obstruction
depends corresponds to the distribution
of the reeurrentnerve, (most frequently
of the left side). Opinion is by no
means unanimous as to the means by
which the function of the nerve is dis
turbed, but there is little question as to
the heredity of the affection, and none
as to its serious effect on the subject.
1t is enough to call to mind the case Of
the celebrated Ormonde and his stock.
The attention of the veterinary pro-
fession has long been directed to obviat-
ing the dyspnoea by removal of the OBJ
structicn. Some three or four years
since considerable sensation was ex-
cited by the reported discovery of a cure
by ablation of the offending cartilage
The uncertainty of this operation
which, perhaps, with some modifica,
ton, had been previously practiced by
Moeller and others on the continent
has left it in disrepute to-day.
Benefiting by very common expert
ence in tracheotomy as temporary
measure for relief in acute laryngea
affections, veterinary surgeons have
now adopted tracheotomy tubes as per
manent arrangements for free admis
sion of air to the lungs of ''roarers.'
This is by no means a rare procedure
and many carriage horses may be daily
| in 4 ole hara n r
these tubes and working without incon
venience. Like observation may be oc
casionally made in the hunting field
and, in certain instances, horses, whicl
without them could not have galloped ;
mile without the greatest discomfort t.
themselves and danger to their riders
have with the aid of tubes been hunted
for five seasons.
The operation itself is a very simpl
one. 1t is usually performed with tn
patient standing, longitudinal in
cision being made through the ski
covering the trachea, usually from 81,
to twelve inches below the thyroi
cartilage. The muscles are then sep
arated, the trachea incised, and, if in
tended as permanency, an oritice TO
insertion of the tube is made by eXcis
ing portion of three rings. Bleeding
is rarely profuse, and ordinarily no yes
sells are ligatured and no forcipressur
applied
The tube best adapted for permanent
use supports itself in position. 1t
composed of three separate pieces, tw
of which, when inserted, form shiel
applied to the skin, each having fang
| in the lumen of the trachea, the one BIZ
! ing directed upward, and the othe
| downward. The third piece, the last t
, be inserted, is hollow cylinder open 6
. each end, which prevents the cut car
, ilages from falling in. The tube
usually of white metal, silyer-plated.
For some time after the operation
: muco-purulent discharge may necess
tate the daily removal and cleansing {
The tube. When healing of the woun
is complete the tube is often allowed
remain in for weeks without remove,
The horse appears TO suffer no incol
veniencc. Pneumonia or accident is
very rare occurrence. Excessive graz
ulation sometimes calls for the intervel
ton of the veterinary surgeon, but
. the ordinary way the groom remove
: and replaces the tube satisfactorily
: British Medical Journal