DISEASES OF ANIMALS 57 



coagulable lymph, afterwards the matured matter. It is 

 the business of art to assist nature, and do that which 

 she cannot do. In cuts and lacerated wounds, she has 

 made no provision for bringing the sides into immediate 

 contact. This should be done in the first place ; and 

 when this is impossible, then bring them as near as may 

 be, with the least pain and irritation. 



" In all cases of man or beast, if we can bring and re- 

 tain together the sides of wounds by adhesive plasters 

 and bandages, it should be done. If stitches must be 

 resorted to, they should never remain more than thirty- 

 six or forty hours, as they will have done all the good 

 they are capable of in that time ; and they will do injury 

 if they remain longer. No stitch should ever be used 

 over or near an important joint. In some rare cases, it 

 may be necessary to put straight needles through the 

 sides of a wound, and wind them with ligatures in the 

 form of a figure 8 ; but they should never remain more 

 than forty-eight hours. 



" Discard healing-salves and plasters, as the healing 

 process is carried on by the living functions of the ani- 

 mal, and not by what is applied. Applications are use- 

 ful, not for their healing properties, but simply to exclude 

 the air, and allow nature to do her work, and we should 

 use the most inoffensive and least stimulating covering, 

 such as one part of beeswax and two parts of lard, melted 

 together. 



" If the granulations become spongy, and a great flow 

 of matter takes place, apply powdered rhubarb daily, or 

 even some more powerful astringent, if necessary ; this 

 will give tone to the granulations. Should the matter 

 from the wound become thin and bloody, attend to the 

 general health of the animal. Old sores or ulcers, which 

 refuse to heal, must be made new ones, by destroying 

 the old surface by the knife, caustic or actual cautering, 

 (hot irons,) and then treat them as fresh wounds. In 

 some such cases, setons or issues, in adjacent parts, may 

 aid the cure." Here is the conclusion of Dr. B.'s judi- 

 cious remarks. 



