CHAPTER XXVIII. 

 INSTRUMENTS, APPARATUS, AND MEDICINES. 



L, WHAT INSTRUMENTS TO KEEP, AND HOW TO USE THEM. II. SUR^^ICA^ 



APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES. HI. A CHEAP AND SERVICEABLE SUR- 

 GICAL OUTFIT. IV. VETERINARY MEDICINES AND DOSES. V. WHEN 



AND HOW OFTEN MAY THE DOSE BE REPEATED? VI. SIMPLE DIREC- 

 TIONS FOR PREPARING AND USING MEDICINES. ^VII. WEIGHTS AND 



MEASURES. ^VIII. STANDARD REMEDIES AND THEIR APPLICATION. 



I. What Instruments to Keep, and How to Use Them. 



Bistoury. — For making incisions. It consists of u handle to which is 

 attached a blade, variously shaped, according to the exact use intended, 

 and either fixed or movable. 



Catheter. — Used to draw off the contents of the bladder when the 

 horse cannot make water in the natural way. Also used in treating deep 

 ulcers, liquid being injected through them by uicans of a syringe. In 

 veterinary practice, it is a round gutta pcrcha tube, of which one end is 

 open, and the other rounded with two openings at the side near by. Oil 

 well, and introduce cautiously; then slowly push it along the canal or 

 passage, taking care to occasion no unnecessary pain. 



Firing-iron. — For making the actual cautery (burning with red-hot 

 iron), which, though less practiced than formerly, is still useful in certain 

 cases elsewhere specified. It is a heavy iron, with a blunt edge and a 

 nandle to hold it by. 



Fleam. — Strictly speaking, one kind of lancet, and that which in old 

 times was alone used in veterinary practice. The manner of using it is 

 fully explained in the article on bleeding. The incision must always be 

 made lengthwise of the vein. 



Forceps. — Used for extracting splinters, pieces of bone, etc., and in 

 the operation of lithotomy and lithotrity ; also, for seizing arteries in 

 order to tie them. They are simi:)ly pincers with long jaws. Those with 

 a spring are much lO be preferred. 



Knives. — At least three or four different knives should be kept, and 

 always keen and bright, for surgical purposes — some rounded and others 

 pointed at the top. (See scalpel and shoeing-knife.) 



Lancets. — There are two kinds, thumb and spring lancets, these 

 names being derived from the power that operates them . They are a great 

 improvement upon the fleam, which is their primitive form. We give 

 the preference to the thumb lancet. 



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