i64 OPERATIVE TECHNIQUE. 



This can be checked by the cauter}-, by cold irrigations, the use of 

 carboHc lotion, or by a compress dressing. 



In veterinary practice Esmarch's method is not usually applied in 

 its entiret}'. the operator often being satisfied with ftie application of 

 the cord. Speaking generall}-, this is the best method of operating 

 when the tissues have undergone much change, and are infiltrated with 

 pus or infectious fluids which might be pressed back into sound tissue by 

 the bandage and produce very grave results. The haemorrhage, which, 

 in consequence of venous stasis, is sometimes considerable, may be 

 checked by applying a second elastic tourniquet on the opposite side of 

 the region of operation. ^ 



The methods just described are onl\' applicable to certain regions, 

 so that when operating elsewhere other methods of dividing tissues are 

 sometimes resorted to, such as crushing with the ecraseur, blunt 

 dissection, tearing, and the use of the elastic ligature. We have already 

 alluded to the use of the cautery, galvano-cautery, and caustics. The 

 ecraseur (Figs, iii to 113), though almost discarded by human 

 surgeons, is still much used in veterinar}- practice. It crushes soft 

 tissues, though to some extent it also acts like a saw. Mucous mem- 



FiG. 1S8. — Director. 



branes, connective and fibrous tissues, muscles, vessels, neoplasms, are 

 all cut without haemorrhage if the instrument is worked sufficiently 

 slowly. Its action is especially remarkable in vessels : the middle and 

 internal coats rupture and retract whilst the external coat is stretched 

 and twisted in such a way as to effect almost complete closure. The 

 secret of avoiding haemorrhage is to work the instrument slowly. Pain, 

 which is very severe as compression begins, diminishes with commencing 

 section. As a rule the surface of section cicatrises less rapidly than 

 that made b}^ the knife, owing to superficial cell necrosis. 



Tearing i^ chiefly used in removing sharply defined tumours which 

 are only slightly adherent to neighbouring tissues. The skin having 

 been incised the growth is isolated by pushing aside or tearing through 

 the surrounding tissues with the fingers, or by a combination of these 

 methods. Although valuable on account of not endangering important 

 vessels or nervous trunks, this method gives very acute pain where the 

 parts are richly supplied with nerves, and is inapplicable to such new 



