INTBODUCTON. 



29 



m 



bo run under the skin by cvitting a channel with a long-bladed pen- 

 knife, and pushing a stiff cord through. If the seton is to be inserted 

 under the skin only, pinch it up and make a short cut, say half an inch, 

 with a knife, then insert the needle and push it along just under the 

 skin to where it is to come out. Feel for its point, 

 and cut another slit through which bring out the 

 needle. Whether cord or tape is used, see-saw it 

 once or twice, knot it well at each end, after inser- 

 tion, to prevent its drawing through. Some horses 

 will allow this to be done without noticing it 

 much; others should be blindfolded, and with 

 still others a twitchup will be needed in addition. 



If the seton seems to cause itching, the horse 

 must have his head tied so that he cannot get at it, 

 or a cradle put on his neck, or he may pull it 

 out with his teeth. Various ointments may be 

 used to smear the seton in order to get up the re- 

 quired irritation. Setons should not be used in 

 inflammations of the tendons and ligaments, because of the permanent 

 thickening which is apt to result from their use. 



Firing, or the application of the actual cautery, is a severe form of 

 irritant, and is chiefly used in the treatment of bone diseases. The old 

 method was to apply the iron in lines, but the use of the instrument here 

 figured, Fig. 22, for pyropuncture is much less likely to leave a blemish. 



Fig. 21. 

 A seton in position. 



Fig. 22. 

 Williams' instrument for pyropuncture. 



The iron should be heated 7'ed hot, not a white heat, and applied 

 with suflBcient pressure to pierce the skin and to enter the new deposit. 

 It may be necessary to cast the horse, but a twitchuu is restraint enough 

 for some. 



Sutures used in veterinary surgery are chiefly the Interrupted su- 

 ture and the Twisted suture. In preparing to close a wound by suture, 

 great care should be taken to see that it is entirely clean before bringing 

 the edges together. If several sutures are necessary, it is best to have as 



