492 



TUMORS 



in the direction of the hair and of the large blood vessels. After the 

 extirpation of the tumor, the cavity should be cleared of all loose tissue 

 by means of a pair of scissors or scraped with a curette. Ligate all 

 the blood vessels. Clean the wound of blood clots, and touch the 

 whole freshly cut surface with pure carbolic acid, as it frequently facili- 

 tates healing by first intention. Then bring together the edges of the 



Fig. 178. — Manner of tying the mouth. 



wound by means of sutures. Place over the wound an antiseptic 

 dressing. 



Anaesthesia. — We have already given information as regards the last 

 three points of the operation. We must confine the animal, in all opera- 

 tions, in such a way as to prevent him from biting or moving that part of 

 the body which is operated upon. It is best to place a leather strap or 

 broad cotton tape bandage around the mouth (see Fig. 178) and have 

 an assistant to hold it. This method is preferable to strapping with 

 cord, etc. Hobday, Gray and Berdez have constructed special hobbles 

 and operating-tables which are to be used in hospitals. 



In very serious operations, accompanied by great pain, it is advisable 

 to place the animal under the influence of some anaesthetic (except in 

 slight operations of the eye, in which local anaesthesia with cocaine is 

 sufficient). For general anaesthesia we use ether or chloroform, or in 

 cases where small tumors or warts, etc., are to be removed. In that case 

 for local anaesthesia we use the spray of ether or ethyl chloride or local 

 subcutaneous injections of solutions of cocaine hydrochlorate. The 

 inhalers used in anaesthesia consist of modifications of cones or cylinders, 

 the commonest being a cylinder of tin with open perforated tin or wire 

 at one end and containing a sponge to hold the anaesthetic. This is 

 placed over the nose of the animal. A large number of modifications of 

 this simple apparatus are used, varying from a wire muzzle or an 

 ordinary tumbler or a flower pot to the elaborate apparatus advised by 

 Hobday and described in the "Surgical Diseases of the Dog and Cat.'* 

 This apparatus consists of a mask that has the form of an elongated blunt 

 cone, having a stopcock at one end where the tube enters that carries 



