364 DISEASES ARISING FROM NEGLECT. 



relieved, and then, a hasty and not very accurate drying having 

 taken place, she is wrapped in a blanket and placed in some warm 

 situation, a good dose of physic having been previously adminis- 

 tered. She soon breaks out in a profuse perspiration. Everything 

 becomes gradually quiet. She falls into a deep and long sleep, 

 and at length awakes somewhat weak, but to a certain degree 

 restored. If, then, all her puppies except one or two are takea 

 from her, and her food is, for a day or two, somewhat restricted, 

 and after that given again in its usual quantity and kind, she will 

 live and do well. Bleeding at the time of her fit, or suffering all 

 puppies to return to her, will inevitably destroy her. 



ACCIDENTS AND OPERATIONS. 



Guts, tears, and bites, unless they are very extensive, and there- 

 fore likely to occupy a long tune in healing, are better left to 

 themselves, the dog's tongue being the best healing remedy. But 

 when a V-shaped flap is torn down, or a very long and straight 

 cut or tear is accidentally made, a few stitches should be put in 

 with a proper curved needle, armed with strong thread or silk. 

 It is only necessary to introduce the needle in two places on ex- 

 actly opposite sides, and then, an assistant drawing the skin to- 

 gether, the ends are tied in a common knot, and cut off closely. 

 When, however, this plan is adopted, a muzzle must be worn as 

 long as the stitches are kept in, because the dog never rests satis- 

 fied until he has licked the knots open, or in some way with hia 

 teeth and tongue has got rid of them. Wounds in the dog do not 

 heal "by the first intention," that is, in three or four days, as in 

 man, but fill up by what is called granulation. Of course, in long 

 wounds, more than one stitch is required, but, as perfect union can 

 never be effected by adhesion, the attempt to bring the edges care- 

 fully together is a failure ; and, provided that anything like an ap- 

 proach to this is effected, all is done which can be desired by a few 

 stitches at short distances. A bandage may be added afterwards 



