306 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



ceeds from a vein, but if bright-colored and jerky in its flow, it is 

 arterial. 



There is nothing very formidable or difficult in taking up an artery. 

 It simply means tying up the bleeding vessel, which should be accom- 

 plished as follows: To discover the bleeding artery, take a sponge, 

 dip it in cold water, and by gentle pressure on the wound clear it of 

 the accumulated blood. The jet of fresh blood reveals the end of the 

 vessel, which is readily recognized by its whitish yellow, or buff, 

 color. It should be seized with a forceps or pincers and slightly 

 drawn clear of the surrounding tissues. Now take the thread and 

 place the middle of it under the art«ry, fetch up the ends, tie one 

 simple knot tightly, pressing down the thread with the forefinger 

 so as not to include the forceps, then a second one over it, cut off the 

 ends, and the thing is done. The bleeding being arrested, the operator 

 can now carefully clean and inspect the wound, taking care to re- 

 move all blood and foreign matters and clip the hair around the 

 edges before proceeding to stitch it up. If the wound is superficial, 

 the lips may be brought together by a series of independent stitches 

 (PI. XXVIII, fig. 6), about three-fourths of an inch to an inch 

 apart. The stitches should not be drawn tightly; it is sufficient to 

 bring the edges of the wound in apposition. 



If the wound is deep, the needle should be introduced perpendicu- 

 larly at as great a distance from the lip of the w^ound as the depth 

 it is to be inserted, so as to give the thread sufficient hold. All the 

 stitches should be as nearly as possible at equal distances from the 

 border of the wound, to prevent unequal strain, and the knots should 

 be made at the side, not over the wound. (PI. XXVIII, fig. 6.) 

 When the wound is large and deep, care should be taken to have an 

 opening in the lowest part to allow for the escape of the discharges. 



In deep wounds which run crosswise of a limb or muscle it will often 

 be advisable to use what is technically known as the " quilled suture," 

 which is most readily understood by reference to Plate XXVIII, 

 figure 7. To accomplish this method, a curved needle with an eye in 

 the point and a strong double thread should be used. The needle thus 

 threaded is introduced perpendicularly at least an inch from the wound 

 on one side, carried across below and brought out the same distance 

 from the border of the cut on the opposite side, the thread being seized 

 and held in position while the needle is withdrawn, leaving a loop of 

 thread protruding on one side and tw^o loose ends on the other side of 

 each stitch. When a sufficient number of stitches have been made, 

 take a light piece of wood about the size of a lead pencil, correspond- 

 ing in length to the size of the w^ound or slightly longer, and insert it 

 through each of the loops, drawing up the free ends of the threads, 

 which should in turn be tied securely on a similar piece of wood on 

 that side. 



