466 SURGICAL DISEASES. 



the stitches are kept in, because the dog never rests satisfied till 

 he has licked the knots open, or in some way with his teeth and 

 tongue has got rid of them. Wounds in the dog do not heal " by 

 the first intention," that is, in three or four days, as in man, but 

 fill up by what is called granulation. Of course, in long wounds, 

 more than one stitch is required, but, as perfect union never can 

 be efiected by adhesion, the attempt to bring the edges carefully 

 together is a failure ; and, provided that anything like an approach 

 to this is efiected, all is done by a few stitches at short distances 

 which can be desired. A bandage may be put on afterwards and 

 kept on for three days, after which it must be changed daily, still 

 keeping on the muzzle. When the red granulations rise above 

 the level of the skin, called then " proud fiesh,^' a piece of blue- 

 stone should be rubbed on them daily, or often enough to keep 

 them down to the proper level. When below the level of the skin, 

 they never require caustic of any kind. 



In any cuts about the legs or feet, the parts may be protected by 

 collodion painted on rapidly with a camel-hair brush, and allowed 

 to dry ; but a very little friction removes it. Canada balsam, spread 

 on white leather and warmed^ will keep its place well enough 

 to bear the rubs of a course in the greyhound, and is, I believe, 

 the best application. A leathern boot may be made to fit the 

 pointer's or setter's foot, or indeed that of any dog which re- 

 quires protection during work. It should be made of two j)ieces 

 of leather, one considerably larger than the other, and the large 

 one set into the small with a puckered or full edge. This, 

 when firmly tied or stitched round the ankle, just below the 



