The operation of which I am about to speak is one, as far as I know, new in surgery of the larynx, and one of sufficient severity to preclude its performance except in very rare cases where all other means afford no relief, and when the disease is sufficiently severe, as to render the life of the patient so uncomfortable that any procedure, however grave, if it presents even a prospective chance for relief, becomes justifiable and proper.
It will be seen later on that the merit of the operation is based on the result of two cases only, one of which was seriously complicated. It will also be seen that in the first instance the manifestation of the laryngeal disturbance was not confined to that organ alone but reflected to the lungs, producing asthmatic breathing, not very severe, but enough to give annoyance and excite apprehension.
It was