INJURIES TO THE KNEE IN THE HORSE. 



807 



machine, razor, scalpels, forceps, scissors, suture needles and pins, 

 silkworm gut, iodoform gauze, aseptic wool, tarlatan, and surgical 

 bandages. 



The instruments should be of metal and have metal handles. 

 They should be boiled for at least ten minutes, and be placed in 

 sterilised, shallow enamelled iron trays containing 5 per cent, carbolic 

 solution. 



1. Aseptic precautions. A few days before the operation, the 

 knee is clipped and washed, then covered with an antiseptic compress, 

 which is renewed daily. The animal is then placed on the operating 



Fig. 466. 



Fig. 467. 



Fig. 468. 



table and chloroformed. The limb intended for operation is freed, 

 drawn forwards as far as possible, and fixed to the lower bar of the 

 table by means of broad strips of webbing. To ensure the limb being 

 fully extended another piece of webbing is passed round the fore- 

 arm and drawn forcibly backwards ; the knee is thus fully extended. 

 An Esmarch bandage is applied above the knee, to control 

 bleeding, which is seldom troublesome. 



The seat of operation is shaved, a lozenge-shaped area corre- 

 sponding to the part to be excised may be left, however, as a guide 

 to the operator at a later stage. The parts are then rinsed carefully 

 with tincture of iodine and covered with a layer of aseptic wool. 



The operator and his assistant having thoroughly cleansed their 

 hands, arms, and finger-nails, the operation, properly so called, begins. 



2. The importance of the unshaven area now becomes apparent. 

 Being symmetrical, the edges of the wound traced round it will after- 



