226 THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



sewing up a wound, the practitioner should have the animal 

 well secured, to prevent injury to himself. A good firm 

 hold of the lips of the wound should be taken with the 

 fingers, as the practitioner can get along better, and the 

 animal will offer less resistance than if the parts are handled 

 in a gingerly manner. A small opening should always be 

 left at the most dependent part of a wound, to allow of 

 proper drainage, the free escape of pus, etc. Other ways 

 of securing wounds are by plasters, straps, and bandages ; 

 ])ut on account of the presence of the hair, and the powerful 

 action of the panniculus carnosus muscle which render 

 adhesion difficult, plasters are not often used. 



Strapping. — This is done by causing a number of pieces 

 of calico, of proper size, shape, etc., to adhere to the parts 

 by means of an application of pitch or some similar ad- 

 hesive. Strapping, frequently is of great assistance in 

 affording support to sutures, especially in extensive wounds, 

 W'here it is feared that the sutures may give way. 



Bandaging. — Wounds of a certain kind are readily 

 secured and the edges kept in perfect apposition by means 

 of bandages. Bandaging consists of binding or securing 

 a part by means of a roll or sheet of some material, usually 

 cloth or rubber. Incised wounds, such as those made for 

 the purpose of performing neurotomy, are readily secured 

 and the edges kept in place by a properly adjusted bandage; 

 one advantage being that a bandage, as a rule, leaves less 

 blemish than the sutures. Bandages also serve a useful 

 purpose in preventing access of dirt, flies, etc., to wounds, 

 and afford a useful support in many cases to sutures. In 

 treating wounds, the divided edges should be always brought 

 into perfect apposition, and the practitioner should have his 

 mind made up as to where the first stitch should be inserted. 

 If the wound is not properly stitched, and the parts brought 

 into perfect apposition, an ugly pouch or wrinkle may be 



