244 THE STOCK owner's advisek. 



aiid carried out tliroiigh the opposite side at the same distance 

 from the edge as the point of entry. 



aUILLED SUTURE. 



This variety consists of two pieces of whalebone, wood, or 

 similar material, one on each side of the wound, and connected 

 by a silk cord, wire, etc. The needle should pierce the skin not 

 closer than an inch from the edge. This form of suture is 

 usually employed in rupture, or lacerated peritoneum. It is 

 useful in very large wounds where the lips have a tendency to 

 gape. It prevents the sutures from tearing out. 



THE INTEKRUPTED SUTURE 



Consists of one continuous thread, forming all the stitches of 

 the wound. It is objectionable for the reason that if one stitch 

 gives way all give way. A small opening should always be left 

 at the most dej)endent part of the wound to allow the drainage 

 of pus. The operator can judge from the animal's disposition, 

 whether it be necessary to cast or not. As a local application to 

 incised wounds, zinc sulphate, six drachms; lead acetate, one 

 ounce; acid carbolicum, drachms four; %vater, one quart, should 

 be used. It should be gently squeezed out of a sponge and allowed 

 to trickle over the surrounding skin, care being taken that the 

 sutures be not disturbed, nor the dried discharge which covers the 

 surface of the fissure removed. Fomentations, hot or cold, and 

 especially hot, should be withheld, because they have a tendency 

 to bring on suppurative action. 



If the wound does well, the sutures should be removed after 

 the sixth or seventh day. If, however, the wound begins tc 

 gape, the surrounding parts to inflame, and pus be discharged, 

 it should be gently bathed with tepid water. A thin piece of 

 absorbing cotton saturated with diluted boracic acid should be 

 laid on the wound, and retained there by means of loose ban- 

 dages placed a little distance from the wound. Where this can- 

 not be conveniently done, the boracic acid should be applied 



