DISEASES OF THE OX AND SHEEP. 



619 



especially perchloride of iron, or even the hot iron, may 

 sometimes be necessary. 



If dirt or foreign matters have gained access to the wounded 

 surfaces, these latter must be carefully cleaned by means of 

 fomentations, the bulkier substances being removed by the aid 

 of the fingers and forceps. If, however, a wound is clean, it is 

 far better and wiser to abstain from washing it, since by so doing 

 one may remove a coating of coagulated blood which has formed, 

 and so give rise to a fresh outpouring of blood. 



Union of wounded surfaces may be effected by means of 

 sutures. The twisted suture may be made by passing a pin 

 through the lips of the wound at rather close intervals, and then 

 twisting round the pin soft twine in the form of the figure 8. 



Fig. 79. — Twisted Suture. 



The interrupted suture is formed by passing separate pieces of 

 thread, or silk, or wire through the lips of the wound. In case 

 a thread or a double and waxed piece of silk is used, the suture 

 is tied, while if wire is employed it is twisted. The stitch should 

 be repeated at intervals of about an inch, and it should be passed 



Interbupted Suture. 



through the skin by a crooked needle, deep and firm hold 

 being taken. 



The uninterrupted suture is produced by passing the thread or 

 silk continuously from one side to the opposite until the severed 



