170 DK. LEGEAB'S STOCK BOOK. 



be found the most convenient and best to use. (Figs. 29 and 30.) 

 Sutures are further described as twisted, quilled, interrupted, 

 etc. 



The twisted suture is the one usually employed to close the 

 wound made by the fleam in bleeding from the jugular vein 

 the large vein in the neck. The edges of the wound are to be 

 brought together and secured in place by means of a pin, which 

 in turn is to be held in position by hair or silk, which is wound 

 around the pin after the manner of a figure eight (8). 



The quilled suture consists of two pieces of whalebone, wood, 

 or some other material, one on each side of the wound, and con- 

 nected by a silk thread, wire, etc. This form of suture is very 

 useful in large wounds where the lips have a tendency to gape, 

 and considerable force is required to prevent the wound opening, 

 the ordinary suture in such cases being liable to tear out. 



The interrupted suture is formed by passing the silk or wire 

 through the edges of the wound, drawing them together and 

 tying the ends of the suture. By this method each stitch is sep- 

 arate from and independent of all the others; so that if one or 

 more stitches break, sufficient may still be left to hold the edges 

 of the wound in position. This is the best of all forms of 

 sutures. 



In sewing up a wound, you should have the animal well se- 

 cured, to prevent any injury to himself. Take a good firm hold 

 of the lips of the wound with the fingers, as the animal will offer 

 less resistance than if the parts are handled in a gingerly manner. 

 Be sure to bring the edges of the wound into perfect apposition, 

 and you should have your mind made up as to where the first 

 stitch should be made. If the wound is not properly stitched and 

 the parts brought into perfect apposition, an ugly pounch or 

 gap may be left to constitute an eye-sore and ever after be a 

 source of aggravation. Always leave a sufficient opening at the 

 lowest part of a wound to allow of proper drainage, the free 



