144 ELEMENTAEY OPEEATIONa 



A. — Position. 



This is more a preparatory step toward obtaining reunion than 

 a true means of securing it, and to have its full effect and assui-e 

 all its benefits, must be accomjoanied by the judicious application 

 of plasters or bandages. By position is understood such an atti- 

 tude of the patient as will tend to keep in coaptation the sides of 

 the wound, as opposed to a postirre which would, if left unguard- 

 ed, distui'b the immobility which is indispensable to the comple- 

 tion of a symmetrical union. The natural restlessness of the pa- 

 tient under the circumstances, even ii-respective of the ordinary 

 Habnity to the slighter causes which divert his attention and ren- 

 der immobility imjjossible, forbid the idea of entire j^assivity. And 

 yet there are some cases where it is possible, or at least must 

 be attempted. This may be illustrated by the hypothetical case 

 of a lacerated wound, forming a V shaped flajD of skin, with its 

 base tm-ned upward. By taking advantage of this condition, and 

 keeping the apex of the V downward, the p)odtion of the flap -will 

 itself assist in closing the wound, the edges having a natural ten- 

 dency, from the contractive character of the fibres, to form, and to 

 maintain the desirable contact. But if, on the contrary, the flap 

 has its base turned downward, the difficulty of keeping it in its 

 proper position Avill be greater, proportionately to the tendency of 

 the edges of the flap to drop away from those of the skin. Taking 

 advantage of the position of this peculiar wound, and assisting it 

 by the aiDplication of bandages or other means, will materially 

 facilitate the closure of the wound. 



B. — Uniting Bandages. 



Though these are not so frequently required in veterinary as 

 in human surgery, they are very effective in bringing together and 

 retaining the edges of wounds, especially in the extremities, where 

 in both transverse and longitudinal wounds they fulfil their jDur- 

 pose very satisfactorily, esjjecially where only the skin is involved. 

 If the injury extends to the muscular substance, however, they 

 are both more difficult to apply, and less serviceable in their ef- 

 fects. In wounds of a transverse character, two bandages of a 

 length equal to that of the injured leg, and as wide as the great 

 axis of the wound, are required. One of these is divided into 



