274 OPERATIONS ON BONES. 



ter section of the bone, and more careful attention to the subse- 

 quent dressing. JV^ecrosis of the amj^utated bone may also com- 

 jjhcate the process of cicatrization, accompanied by more or less 

 pain and diffused suppuration, which cannot be reheved until the 

 necrotic bone has sloughed away. 



Amputations in the contiguity of the bones are, besides, likely 

 to be complicated with synovial Jistulas, which may be of an ar- 

 ticular or tendinous nature. The ordinary forms of treatment in 

 similar cases will be sufficient for these. 



These general rules regvilate amputations of every kind, though 

 the various steps of the operation may have somewhat varied, ac- 

 cording to circumstances. But whether it be in the continuity 

 or contiguity of a bone, or whatever may be the bone involved ; 

 whether the scapulo-humeral joint, the fetlock or the digital re- 

 gion ; or even to remove supplementary digits ; they are of equal 

 applicability, and the general modus operandi remains the same. 

 Even in the operation of amjnitation of the vnngs we find but 

 little room for modification or change. 



In operating iipon the wings of birds, with the j)rincij)al object 

 of destroying their power of flight, it may frequently be accom- 

 plished by simply cutting off the extremity of the wing, at the 

 carpal articulation, with the scissors, and cauterizing the wound 

 with perchloride of iron or nitrate of silver. 



Another method is to pull out the feathers from the inner side 

 of the wing, as far as the elbow joint, the skin being then incised 

 with a bistoury somewhat below the joint, and dissected and 

 reversed upward, the bones being then divided with the bone 

 forceps. The wound should be carefully washed or sponged with 

 cold water, to check the bleeding, and the skin drawn over the 

 stump, secm-ed by interrupted sutures. The bird requires no 

 special attention, and the wound heals in a few days. 



Amputation of Hokns. 



The amputation of horns is an operation the description of 

 which dates back to 1790. It is indicated in cases of fractures, or of 

 vicious growths which might embarrass the motions and prevent 

 the usefulness of the animal, and also to pro\dde against the mu- 

 tual injui-ies which cattle are liable to inflict upon one another. 

 It is also indicated in cases of suppurative collections in the si- 

 nuses, and for the removal of parasites from those cavities. It has 



