374 WOUXDS AXD THEIR TREATMENT 



injections of solution of cliromie acid (1 to 100). Lacerda advises sub- 

 cutaneous injections of pei-manganate of potash (1 to GO). Where the 

 animal exhibits great weakness, we should administer alcoholic stimu- 

 lants — Ijrandy, whiskey, or sherry — and to these add a few drops of spirits 

 of ammonia. Ether, camphor, atropia are all advised as stimulants. 

 A serum has been prepared to combat the effects of a snake bite. 



Wounds of the Tip of the Tail. — Wounds or injuries to the tip of the 

 tail are generally found in short-haired dogs with long tails, particularly 

 great danes, pointers, and beagles. Wounds of this character are caused 

 l\v the dog shaking the tail and hitting against solid objects, particularly 

 where dogs are kept in narrow kennels and wag their tails and strike the 

 sides of the kennel. It is a peculiar fact that while injury of the tip of the 

 tail is insignificant, it is one of the most difficult to treat and cure. This 

 is caused by several facts; first dirt and scabs collect on the wound which 

 causes the animal to constantly lick and gnaw the sore. Another fact 

 i':; an animal will keep gnawing at the tail when there is apparently no 

 reason for it. The tail seems sometimes to be intensely itchy, due prob- 

 ably either to neuritis or to itching eruptions of the skin. The animal 

 gnaws and bites the tail as if in a fury of pain or irritation until the vertebra 

 is exposed causing necrosis of the bone and slough of portions of the tissue 

 or even one or two bones of the coccyx. Sometimes we find certain ecze- 

 matous eruptions that extend from the back and root of the tail along the 

 entire body of the tail, and the animal is constantly licking and biting it. 



The first line of treatment is to endeavor to lessen the irritation and 

 to heal the sore. First clean the tail carefully and thoroughly with warm 

 Avater and soap and remove all dirt, scabs, etc., from the injured or 

 irritated portions, and after drying the tail, dust on antiseptic powders 

 such as boracic acid, airol, dermatol or tannoform or even paint the 

 injured portion with collodion or compound tincture of benzoin. Where 

 there is an ulcerated portion of the skin, it should be stimulated with a 

 stick of' nitrate of silver or in cases where there is deep ulceration it may 

 be necessary to touch the affected portions with the thermocautery. 

 After applying the antiseptic dusting powder it is necessary to apply a 

 bandage on the tail and for this purpose there is nothing better than a 

 bandage held in place with carpenter's glue. This is applied in the fol- 

 lowing way: Strips of muslin or linen are covered with glue (ordinary 

 glue that is warmed slightly to render it more liquid) then the affected 

 portions are covered with tlie antiseptic dusting powder and a small 

 portion of absorbent cotton filled with the powder is applied. The 

 strip of muslin covered with the glue is laid on lateral sides of the tail 

 from the root of the tail around the tip and back and the glue-covered 

 side directly on the hair (Fig. 120). Another strip may be put on, cover- 

 ing the superior and inferior surfaces of the tail, then strips are wound 



