MISCELLANEOUS 99 



cleansing, it may be necessary to resort to sewing, 

 taking what are called interrupted stitches, i. e. each 

 stitch taken separately and then tied off. Silk or 

 fine can be used. Superficial wounds may be 

 painted with friars' balsam, or some healing oint- 

 ment, but the hair around the wound should always 

 be clipped off before dressing the injury. 



Fractures. 



Broken bones are nothing like so frequently met 

 with in the cat as in the dog, and when they do 

 occur, the fracture is often of a compound nature, 

 i. e. implication of flesh and bone, hence it is fre- 

 quently necessary, if a limb, to amputate it ; but a 

 spring trap, plus the cat's struggles, sometimes ren- 

 ders an operation unnecessary, and the cat will assist 

 in completing the healing of the stump with its 

 tongue. If the cat is valuable, or much thought of, 

 seek professional aid, if not, destruction is the most 

 merciful end. 



Sprains. 



A sprained leg, though uncommon, occasionally 

 occurs, but the lightness of this animal, together 

 with its extreme caution renders this infrequent. 

 When a part is sprained, if recent, it is indicated 

 by increased heat; swelling; pain, and a variable 

 degree of lameness. Treatment comprises the 

 application of a cooling lotion, such as a little 



