274 KENNEL DISEASES. 
When the cut is not immediately over a solid bone the difficulty of stopping 
bleeding may be greater. Unless the hemorrhage is very severe, however, 
the following treatment is quite sure to be effectual: Take up a handful of 
powdered chalk, sulphur, magnesia, or common flour; turn the hand as quickly 
as possible and lay its contents on the wound, and hold the same there until a 
firm bandage has been applied. In very dangerous cases of bleeding away from 
home and such powdered materials cannot be obtained, dry earth or dust may 
be used instead. 
It is advisable to stop if possible all bleeding by treating the wounds them- 
selves, but when they are located on the legs it may be necessary to apply pres- 
sure above or below them. If the blood is spurting, and therefore coming from 
a cut artery, the leg should be encircled by a bandage or cord above the wound, 
between it and the body, and the same be tightened gradually until the bleeding 
has stopped. Only rarely is hemorrhage from a vein difficult to check in the 
wound; but if so, the leg must be ligated by means of bandage, strap or cord, 
below the cut; as the blood flows in the veins from the extremities.towards the 
heart. 
Wounds that are promptly and properly attended to may heal within a week, 
or, aS surgeons say, by “first intention;” that is, by dry union and without the 
formation of pus or “matter.” In order that they may do this they must be 
thoroughly cleaned, all bleeding stopped, their edges brought together, and 
thereafter tainted air be entirely excluded. 
If a dog has been wounded and stitching is necessary, one must not shrink 
from the duty through fear of being bitten, for rarely will there be any danger 
of it, because he and his kind when injured very generally appreciate that what 
is being done is purely for his good; moreover, dogs are far less susceptible to 
pain than members of the human family. 
In cases of extensive wounds which gape open it is almost always necessary 
to stitch the edges together; and such operation is so easy it may be undertaken 
by anyone who has a firm hand. In the absence of a “glover’s needle” one of 
ordinary kind may be used. It should be large always — No. 7 or No. 8—and 
“threaded” with coarse white silk. Or if only fine silk is obtainable, several 
strands ought to be employed. While if silk is not at hand, common white 
linen thread may be used. Unless the wound gapes badly, when they should be 
nearer, the stitches ought to be about half an inch apart. The skin should be 
entered well back from the edges, to prevent tearing out. It is generally easiest 
to pass the needle in through one lip of the cut, and bring out all but a few 
inches of silk; then out through the other lip from the inside. The silk may 
then be cut, but the part left should be several inches in length, to enable the 
operator to draw the edges together into a natural position and tie the knots 
squarely, otherwise they must slip a 
After stitching, if carbolic, iodoform, or other antiseptic gauze can be 
