196 A MONTH IN THE FORESTS OF FRANCE. 



hand, I selected two from the possession of the good 

 dame belonging to the cottage, and having armed 

 them with some strong thread, I commenced stitching 

 with either needle above and below. And here let 

 me counsel all sportsmen, when dealing with a wide 

 superficial wound of this description, always to have 

 two needles and two threads, and to tie the edges of 

 the skin thus alternately together, rather than, by 

 stitching across with one needle and thread in the 

 usual manner, to risk one fracture letting out the 

 entire ligature. If tied, as I recommend, with 

 separate threads, if several give way, still enough 

 remain to assist the designs of nature, room being 

 always left between the stitches in the first instance, 

 to admit of a free discharge or suppuration. So 

 extensive was the wound, almost the entire length of 

 the hound, and so much nicety did it demand in taking 

 care to catch up nothing with the needle save what 

 was intended to be the protecting skin, that for nearly 

 or quite two hours .was I kneeling at Barricade's 

 side, M. d'Anchald and his sons having enough to do 

 to keep the doorway sufficiently clear of curious faces 

 to admit me light. 



By the removal of the couples the extravasated 

 blood within the skin subsided, and, the operation 

 being over, I had the heartfelt satisfaction of giving 



