234 THE PRACTICAL HORSE KEEPER. 



" twitching," to prevent injury to the operator and attendants. 

 There is nothing cruel in twitching a horse, if it be properly 

 and humanely done, and if pressure only be put on the im- 

 prisoned part of the upper lip, when the animal shows signs of 

 resistance. Sutures may be inserted in many different ways 

 to bring the divided edges of wounds together ; but for the 

 more professional operator, what is called the "interrupted 

 suture" is most convenient and efficient. This is made by 

 passing a pin through both edges of the divided skin, half an 

 inch deep or more, according to circumstances, and then putting 

 a piece of twine or tow over the point and head in the form of 

 a figure 8 "close hitch," or round and round, so draw the 

 edges of the skin together, and tie moderately tight ; or in- 

 stead of pins, a needle armed with twine, thread, or wire, may 

 be used, and passed through both edges of the skin, as above 

 described, and the ends tied together, the superfluous pieces 

 being cut off. Suture wire has the advantage of not irritating 

 the skin so much as twine or thread, and, besides, it cannot 

 absorb irritating and acrid discharges or other matter. 



When the wound is too long to be closed by one pin or 

 suture, several may be employed. If pins are used, each may be 

 fastened separately with twine, in the manner just described, or 

 one piece of twine may be twisted round all of them in figure- 

 of-8 fashion, so as to make them support each other. When 

 wounds are lacerated and torn, it is of little use except in 

 certain cases to bring the divided edges together by sutures, 

 as such lesions will not close, except by a gradual growth from 

 the bottom and sides, called " healing by granulation." In this 

 event, care must be taken that no cup or pouch is left for pus 

 or matter to collect in the parts : but we must have what is 

 called a " dependent orifice," so that all discharges can drain 

 away as they form ; otherwise they are apt to burrow amongst 

 the tissues and under the skin, and so form deep-seated and 

 troublesome abscesses and sinuses. Attention to this dependent 



