386 THE DOG IN DISEASE. 



generally be necessary to get swelling reduced before they 

 are applied. They may be prepared by sprinkling the 

 powder evenly over an ordinary bandage and rolling it up 

 tightly. When applying, water enough to wet moderately 

 will suffice, and some allowance must be made for con- 

 traction in hardening. The patient must be watched, and 

 kept quiet till the dressing is dry. An ordinary bandage 

 should be first applied, and a little cotton-wool put be- 

 tween the plaster bandage and the limb at the upper 

 and lower ends, to prevent undue pressure of the sharp 

 edges. 



After union is established an ordinary bandage may 

 be worn for a little while, and the dog allowed to exercise 

 only in the yard for a time. Compound fractures i. e., 

 those with the skin broken require especial care, and an- 

 tiseptic dressings are essential. 



Cutting Operations. If serious, these should be done 

 under anaesthetics or morphia (cocaine may suffice in some 

 cases), and with every preparation and all antiseptic pre- 

 cautions. It is not usually necessary to anaesthetize before 

 opening an abscess unless deep seated, but the knife used 

 should be very sharp and the incision decided. 



Tumors may require removal if they press on vital 

 parts, grow rapidly, are unsightly, or if small but malig- 

 nant i. e., injurious to the health of the animal and very 

 apt to involve adjacent parts. 



In any cutting operation of this kind the question of 

 haemorrhage is to be carefully weighed. About the neck 

 and breast there is considerable danger of bleeding. On 

 the other hand, some tumors may be " shelled out," when 

 superficial, with little trouble or danger. 



