BANDAGING AND DRESSING. 123 



distance on the opposite side of the vessel. The opening of the 

 artery is thus pressed either against soft parts, or, better still, against 

 a bone (see Figs. 162a and 1626). When this is ineffective or impos- 

 sible to carry out, two needles are employed, one passed below, the 

 other above the vessel. 



VIII.— BANDAGING AND DRESSING. 



Since the introduction of antiseptic wound treatment dressings have 

 played a much more important part than formerly, when open wound 

 treatment was the usual custom. They not only shield the wound 

 from infection and absorb wound secretions but favour healing by 

 primary intention, and retain soft parts in contact very much as 

 callus formation fixes the broken ends of bones. Dressings are also 

 useful to retain given parts in predetermined positions and to exercise 

 pressure. Unfortunately, in veterinary surgical practice, dressings 

 cannot always be applied or made secure owing to the patient's 

 restlessness, or the position of the wound. 



The best materials for dressings are aseptic gauze or tarlatan, 

 cotton wool, lint, tow, wood wool, and prepared peat. Cotton wool 

 and gauze containing boric acid (45 per cent.), or carbolic acid 

 (5 per cent.), or the double cyanide of mercury and zinc (3 per cent.), 

 and carbolised tow are much used. They may be obtained ready 

 for use. 



Compresses may be of linen, cotton, flannel, etc. To cause them 

 to fit properly without creasing they must often be slit at the edges. 

 Dressings and compresses are secured in position in various ways, 

 the commonest being by the use of bandages. These were formerly 

 of linen or flannel, but for surgical purposes nothing surpasses calico, 

 tarlatan, or cotton bandages which can either be cut of suitable size 

 and length from a large piece of stuff or, better still, bought ready 

 for application from the surgical apparatus dealers. In addition to 

 cheapness they have the advantage of adapting themselves readily 

 to irregularities of surface and of being very absorbent. Flannel 

 bandages stretch irregularly in use, and as they soon lose their 

 elasticity finally become wrinkled. Knitted bandages are very elastic 

 and even after long use may by proper treatment be rendered almost 

 as effective as when new. 



Bandages intended for fixing parts immovably in position may be 

 saturated with dextrin and dried. They can also be bought ready 

 prepared, requiring only to be thoroughly moistened before use, 

 when the turns adhere strongly, forming practically one mass. To 



