324 DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT. 



mor, the substance of wMci is now exposed to view. 

 Bj the aspect of the growth he decides upon the course 

 he will next adopt ; or rather shapes the manner he had 

 proposed to proceed. Seldom will it occasion him to 

 change his plan j but he must be prepared to do so, if 

 the appearances should be contrary to his anticipations. 

 The skin is here of primary importance ; wherever it is 

 not involved, it is dissected back, and every portion of 

 hard or gristly matter scrupulously sought for and cut 

 away. All such substance being excised, care is then 

 directed to bring the edges together. A pair of scissors 

 may be required to make them exactly even, but the less 

 snipping there may be the better. To retain the lips of 

 the wound in the places desired, collodium will be found 

 far superior to sutures or plasters. It is with a camel's 

 hair pencil laid in bands along the parts, which are held 

 in their intended situations while it dries. A few threads 

 of linen are embedded in it while it is in a liquid state, 

 so as to increase its strength ; and layer after layer is 

 added until the mind is assured the purpose Is obtained. 

 The application must on no account be made in one con- 

 tinuous sheet ; for before union can take place suppu- 

 ration must be established, and spaces are necessary to 

 allow the matter to escape. Therefore, in several fine 

 strips stretching over the wound, and holding its edges 

 close, the collodium is to be employed ; and this being 

 ended, subsequent attention is generally required only to 

 regulate the health, on which the healing process will 

 greatly depend. 



