SURGERY OF THE DOG. 381 



be diagnosed, while the treatment of cuts not requiring 

 stitches, and of some other accidental injuries, is simple. 



We remind the reader of a few of the principles of 

 surgery of more importance. 



Any injury to an animal, whether from chemical or 

 mechanical violence or from heat, is apt to be followed 

 by inflammation with its attendant evils, as constitutional 

 disturbance, possibly abscess, ulceration, sloughing, erysip- 

 elas, and blood-poisoning {septicmmia). Hence the im- 

 portance of attending to all injuries at once. 



Fortunately, repair of tissue is more rapid in the dog 

 and other of the lower animals, and shock or reaction less, 

 than in man. 



A few words on some of the commoner accidents and a 

 few of the operations to which the dog must occasionally 

 be subjected may now be offered, but first of all in regard 

 to the use of anaesthetics. 



Anaesthesia. — Collapse may take place suddenly during 

 the inhalation of chloroform, and from this the dog may 

 not be recovered, so that special care is necessary. Anaes- 

 thetics are rendered much safer if the dog be given half an 

 hour previously, either by the mouth or hypodermically, 

 a good dose of morphia. Most dogs are very much fright- 

 ened when an anaesthetic is about to be given. Morphia 

 renders them comparatively indifferent. 



Many minor operations can be well enough done with 

 no further assistance, the animal feeling little or no pain. 



Ether, under proper precautions, is fairly safe for the 

 dog, and some anaesthetic should be given, rather than sub- 

 ject the animal to severe and especially to prolonged pain. 



Pain is injurious to the dog for the same reason that 



