10 



QUILL SUTURLS . 



should be pressed gently together with the fingers, when the threads 

 can be cut and the pins removed. Threads glued to the skin by 

 discharges may be left for a time in position. 



Another form of suture comparatively little employed is the 

 so-called shoemaker's stitch. It is used in removing hernial sacs. 

 new growths, etc. An awl-like needle carrying a long thread is 

 passed through the new growth, and the loop is cut, leaving the 

 growth transfixed with two threads. By tightly tying together the 

 free ends of these threads on opposite sides the circulation in the 

 peripheral portion of the growth is stopped, causing the part to 

 become necrotic and fall away. By using a series of such sutures 

 large growths may effectually be removed. 



Of tension sutures or sutures of relaxation there are several 

 varieties. Ordinary interrupted sutures may be used for this purpose 



Fig. 143 — Continuous or glover's stitch. 



Fig. 144.— Figure-of-8 or 

 pin suture. 



if more widely spaced and inserted further from the edges of the 

 wound and to a greater depth than usual (see Fig. 145). 



To equalise and distribute pressure, thus preventing the stitches 

 cutting through the skin, the suture shown in Fig. 146 is often used. 

 It is formed by passing a number of double sutures through the lips 

 of the wound in such a way that the loops lie on one side, the free 

 ends on the other. A small cylinder of any kind, like a quill, or 

 piece of cane, is then slipped through the loops ; the free ends are 

 drawn tight and tied over a similar cylinder applied on the opposite 

 side. The cylinders extend for some distance beyond the ends of 

 the wound. 



It happens, however, at times that animals lie on the part so 

 secured, and the cylinders are apt to cause pressure necrosis, making 

 it necessary to remove the whole of the sutures despite their still 

 being required. A modification was therefore introduced in which 



