652 THE BOOK OF THE DOG. 



which will take fully thirty hours. If there be a wound, a trap can be cut in the bandage for 

 the purpose of dressing. 



Fracture of a rib or ribs is not an uncommon occurrence, and is to be treated by binding 

 a broad flannel roller round the chest, but not too tightly, as this would give the animal 

 great pain, as well as dyspnoea. Keep him confined and at rest, to give the fractured parts a 

 chance of uniting. 



Little constitutional treatment is required. Let the diet be low at first, and give an occasional 

 dose of castor-oil. 



Sprain. This is an accident which is much more common than fracture. In jumping or 

 running, some of the ligaments become stretched, and detached from their sheath; the result is 

 lameness, great pain, and probably a considerable degree of heat and some swelling. 



Treatment. Rest for the injured limb is imperative. If there seem to be very great pain, 

 either hot fomentations or the hot flat-iron will afford relief, especially if a dose or two of 

 tincture of opium or chloral hydrate is given by the mouth. Afterwards treat the sprain with 

 the arnica lotion. A dose of aperient medicine sulphate of soda or magnesia will usually be 

 needed, and if the animal seem much distressed low diet is indicated. 



Bruises are to be treated according to general principles. Little will as a rule be needed 

 saving rest, hot fomentations of poppy-heads, and afterwards a free use of the arnica 

 lotion. 



Wounds. The class of wounds we are most often called upon to treat are incised wounds, 

 and the indications of treatment to be fulfilled are three : (i), the stopping of the bleeding ; 

 (2), cleansing the wound from foreign matter ; and (3), securing coaptation. If the bleeding be 

 from an artery, the open end must be seized by a pair of forceps, and twisted round 

 seven or eight times ; or it may be ligatured, but the first method is better in the dog. 

 It is, however, but seldom that any one other than a vet. or medical man can use torsion ; 

 but pressure alone is often quite as successful, and can always and easily be applied. It must 

 be kept up for an hour at least, if any good is to be obtained. If the bleeding be not 

 arterial, exposure to the air may stop it ; cold is the best styptic, applied either by ice or rags 

 rung out of the coldest water procurable. The tincture of the perchloride of iron is a capital 

 styptic but apt to irritate. 



Everything of the nature of a foreign body must be searched for and carefully removed 

 before the wound is bound up. The wound is then washed with cold water, and when the 

 bleeding has* stopped it should be gently sponged with a weak solution (i to 50) of carbolic 

 acid and water. The edges of the wound are then to be brought together, and in nearly 

 every case one or more stitches will be necessary. A curved needle is the best to use, and 

 silken thread or thin silver wire. The stitches are placed not too near the edges, so as to give 

 them a firm hold; they -are placed about half an inch apart, each stitch being tied and quite 

 independent of the other. Some kind of simple dressing will be needed; cold water and lint 

 with a bit of oiled silk and a loose bandage is best, but the dog must be kept muzzled or 

 he will not fail to relieve himself of dressings, stitches, and all. The wound is to be dressed 

 every morning and gently sponged, and touched over with the weak carbolic lotion. As soon 

 as the wound is capable of holding together, the stitches must be removed. 



Sore Feet. Dogs that work much in the field or on roads, such as Setters and Sheep-dogs, 

 are often the subjects of inflammation about the toes and feet. It is easily removed, if seen to 

 at once washing in hot water, the use of the arnica lotion, and a few days' rest, will generally 

 suffice. In severer cases it may be necessary to poultice the dog's feet, and during the day to 



