210 SURGICAL DISEASES 



recommended. Bathing the wound with hot water (115 °- 

 120 ° F.) is a satisfactory method of controlling hemorrhage 

 from small blood-vessels. Ligation and torsion of the cut end of 

 large blood-vessels should be practised. Pressure over the sur- 

 face of the wound is the most convenient method of controlling 

 hemorrhage in most cases. Whenever possible, the part should 

 be bandaged heavily with clean cheese cloth or muslin. Before 

 applying the bandage, it is advisable to cover the wound with a 

 piece of sterile gauze or linen that is well dusted with boric 

 acid. Hemorrhage from wounds that cannot be bandaged may be 

 temporarily stopped by pressure with the hand, or, better, by 

 packing the wound with absorbent cotton and holding this in 

 place with sutures. This should be left in place for a period of 

 twelve or thirty-six hours, depending on the extent of the hemor- 

 rhage and character of the wound. 



The next step is the preparation of the ivound for healing. 

 The injured tissues should be carefully examined for foreign 

 bodies such as hair, dirt, gravel, slivers of wood and nails. The 

 hair along the margins of the wound should be trimmed, and all 

 tissue that is so torn and detached as to interfere with healing 

 cut away. Drainage for the wound secretions and pus should be 

 provided. The advisability of suturing the wound depends on 

 its character and location. A contused-lacerated wound should 

 not be closed with sutures unless it is clean and shows no evi- 

 dence of sloughing. A badly infected wound should be left open 

 unless satisfactory drainage for the pus and wound secretions 

 can be provided. Wounds across the muscle and in parts that 

 are quite movable should not be sutured. 



The after-treatment consists in keeping the animal quiet, 

 if the wound is in a part that is quite movable, and preventing 

 it from biting, licking or nibbling the injury. Wounds in the 

 region of the foot become irritated with dirt and by rubbing 

 against weeds and grass. This makes it advisable to keep the 

 aTiimal in a clean stall until healing is well advanced. Local 



