Accidents and Operations, 383 



AMPUTATIONS. 



Amputation, or severation, is sometimes had recourse to 

 in veterinary practice, when injury or disease has rendered 

 the removal of the part or member necessary for the 

 salvation of life. 



The limbs are chiefly subjected to this operation, and 

 although amputation of a canine leg is not of common 

 occurrence, yet several very successful issues have followed 

 the operation, an instance of which I recorded from my 

 own practice in 1879. 



Amputation may be accomplished by either the flap or 

 circular raeCs\od., the modus operandi being much the same 

 as in human surgery. Everything should be arranged 

 beforehand, and in readiness for the operator. It is 

 advisable to have three assistants if possible in amputations 

 of importance — one to administer and control the 

 anaesthetic, one to assist in holding the limb and securing 

 the vessels, and another to ligature. A veterinary surgeon, 

 however, is not commonly blessed with so much 

 professional help, and therefore has to do the best he can, 

 often relying on the assistance of a medical friend or 

 •colleague. 



In the lower animals a tourniquet is always advisable, as 

 it ensures, if properly applied, complete pressure of the 

 arterial branches, as well as the chief vessel. The arteries 

 may be taken up by torsion or ligature. Unless for some 

 • special reason it is contra-indicated, chloroform or ether 

 should always be used in amputations. 



In the case I have alluded to as occurring in my 

 practice, the necessity of amputation was due to compound 

 comminuted fracture of the radius and ulna. Before I 

 ■commenced the severation the integuments were drawn 

 well up towards the humerus, so that upon resuming their 

 position afterwards they might form a good covering to 

 the stump. 



A sweeping circular cut divided all tissues down to the 



