DISEASES FROM SEPTIC INFECTION OF WOUNDS 



375 



around the tail to hold on these strips, either at the root and tip, as shown 

 in Fig. 120, or along the entire tail as shown in Fig. 120. Care should 

 be taken not to wind the circular strips too tight as the bandage is apt to 

 contract c^uite consideral)ly when the glue dries. The bandage sticks 

 closely to the hair and has many advantages over adhesive plaster. It 

 is impo8sil:)le for the animal to shake it off, and if he should show an 

 inclination to gnaw at it a muzzle should be put on the animal. The 

 bandage should be changed every five or six days. The bandage is 

 removed by putting the tail in warm water or covering the bandage with 



Fig. 120. — Bandage for injuries or amputation of the tail. 



a cloth saturated with warm water and allowing it to remain for ten 

 minutes, when the strips are easily taken off; the tail washed, dressed 

 and another bandage "applied, taking the precaution to have the tail dry 

 before re-applying the glue bandage. A leather cone for the protection 

 of the tail, called a "tail-muzzle," generally causes great irritation and the 

 animal is in a constant state of irritation while it is on and is constantly 

 trying to get it off. 



Amputation of the Tail. — The necessity of amputation of a portion 

 of the tail may not only originate from the causes already enumerated 

 but from the tail being run over by a wagon wheel, from being caught 



