WOUNDS. 171 



always applicable; and that quietude is too often rather 

 '' honoured in the breach than in the observance." Though 

 we cannot command these aids, it is our duty to avail our- 

 selves of them. Great advantage will often accrue either by 

 raising the heel by calkins to the shoe ; or by putting on the 

 long-toed shoe compelling the animal to place the heel flat 

 upon the ground ; accordingly as it may be the flexor or ex- 

 tensor muscles we are desirous to relax or extend. This 

 done, we find ourselves, generally speaking, compelled at 

 once to have recourse to 



Sutures. — These are said, in surgery, to be of three 

 kinds : the interrupted, the quilled, and the glover^s suture : 

 to which some add a fourth, the twisted suture. Of these, 

 the interrupted suture is generally employed for wounds, 

 though I believe the twisted might, on some occasions, prove 

 serviceable. The lips of the wound being brought into con- 

 tact, as nearly as possible in their natural position, a crooked 

 needle, armed with strong waxed thread, is to be carried 

 through one side and brought out on the opposite side of the 

 wound, but not very near the edge, lest the suture tear 

 out. One end of the thread being cut off, leaving the 

 other loose in the cavity, another stitch is to be taken at 

 the distance of an inch from the first, and so on until the 

 extent of the wound is pierced by so many separate stitches: 

 its sides or lips being all the time held together by an 

 assistant. The rule is to tie the middle stitch first : this, 

 however, is no great matter. The chief precaution is their 

 adjustment, so that, when drawn tight, they may meet each 

 other in straight or parallel lines, without giving the injured 

 part any unnatural constraint. A bandage (in cases which 

 admit of its application) will be of service in keeping the 

 wound together, and supporting the sutures. There are in- 

 stances in which the divided parts admit of sufficient con- 

 finement by a bandage, so as not to require sutures : the 

 incisions made in the operation of neurotomy are of this 

 last description. Prior to its application, the bandage may 

 be dipped in cold water, and wrung out : it will thus serve to 

 keep down inflammation. 



