AMPUTATION OF TAIL. 109 



ligature as close as possible to the root of the tail. Have 

 an assistant hold the tail upwards, i. e., dorsalwards, and 

 tightly stretched. Make an incision 15 to 20 cm. long, over 

 the middle of the inferior surface of each depressor longus 

 muscle, beginning close against the elastic ligature and ex- 

 tending toward the apex, severing at once the skin and 

 caudal fascia down to the muscle. Let an assistant retract 

 the lips of the incision with tenacula while the operator 

 dissects the depressor longus muscle, DC, Plate XVII, from 

 the adjacent tissues at either side, sever it by a transverse 

 incision close against the ligature and dissect away the en- 

 tire muscle down to the lower end of the wound and there 

 excise it. Repeat the operation on the opposite side. 



Make two elongated tampons of absorbent cotton, of the 

 size and form of the muscles removed, saturate these with 

 i-iooo sublimate solution, insert neatly in the wounds and 

 over this to aid in securing antisepsis and to equalize the 

 pressure apply a pad of absorbent cotton, saturated with 

 sublimate solution, covering the wounds and encircling the 

 tail and secure by a moderately firm bandage as closely as 

 possible to the elastic ligature. Remove the ligature, when 

 hemorrhage may ensue, which is to be controlled by the ap- 

 plication of a second bandage extending higher up on the 

 tail. Remove the bandage in 24 hours and dress as before 

 for a second day after which treat as an open wound. Care 

 should be taken to not apply the bandage too tightly or 

 leave it in place for more than 24 hours, since otherwise 

 necrosis of the tail is liable to occur and necessitate 

 amputation. 



23. AMPUTATION OF THE TAIL. 

 Plate XVIII. 



Objects. The treatment of malignant, or incurable dis- 

 eases of the tail. 



Instruments. Elastic bandage, scalpel, razor, artery 

 forceps, bone cutting forceps, suture material. 



