SURGERY OF THE DOG. 383 



of the man that operates on him all the care given to a 

 human being. What is worth doing at all is worth doing 

 well, and the individual who rightly comprehends his call- 

 ing will act accordingly when operating on so noble a 

 creature as the dog. 



Formerly solutions of carbolic acid in water and in oil 

 were much used. They are still in vogue, though weak 

 solutions of corrosive sublimate are now preferred by 

 many. 



For disinfecting instruments that have been well 

 washed with soap and water, one-to-twenty carbolic acid 

 or one-to-five-hundred corrosive sublimate will answer. 



For dressings, one to forty or one to eighty of the 

 former or one to two thousand of the latter is strong 

 enough. 



Yarious dry antiseptic dressings can now be purchased 

 ready-made at chemists' shops. Carbolic oil is not the 

 best dressing for wounds in dogs. 



Cuts. "When slight and recent, it is only necessary to 

 make sure that no foreign bodies as dust, hair, etc. are in 

 the wound, and that it is protected by some simple, well- 

 fitting covering. No irritating "salves," ointments, etc., 

 should be applied. Avoid all sources of irritation, the air 

 included, and Nature will do the rest. It is needless to 

 remark, that after all injuries the parts should be kept as 

 nearly at absolute rest as possible. If the wound be large 

 and gaping, it will be advisable to bring the edges to- 

 gether with stitches of silk thread. It is not usually ne- 

 cessary to give an anaesthetic, but it may be advisable to 

 give a hypodermic injection of morphia. The instruments 

 (needles, etc.) should be suitable in size, shape, and sharp- 



