ACCIDENTS AND OPERATIONS. 429 
pain when the animal endeavoured to void it or the faecal matter. The uterus 
was become of almost a black colour, swelled, softetied, and exhaling an in- 
supportable odour, Judging from this that the preservation of the uterus was 
impossible, and reckoning much on the good constitution of the patient, I 
warned the proprietor of the danger of its reduction, even supposing that it 
was practicable, and proposed to him the complete extirpation of the uterus 
as the only means that remained of saving the bitch, 
“Armed with his consent, 1 passed a ligature round the neck of the uterus, 
at the bottom of the vagina, and drew it as tight as I possibly could. On the 
following day I again tightened the ligature, in order to complete the mortiti- 
cation of the part and the separation of the womb. On the third day I extir- 
pated the womb entirely, close to the haunch. There was very slight loss of 
blood, but there ran from the walls of the vagina a small quantity of ichorous 
fluid, with a strong foetid smell, The operation was scarcely completed ere 
she voided a considerable quantity of urine, and then searched about for some- 
thing to eat and to drink. 
“*The portion of the uterus that was removed weighed fourteen ounces. 
The mucous membrane by which it was lined was in a highly disorganised 
state. From time to time injections of a slight infusion of aromatic plants 
were introduced into the vagina, and the animal was nourished with liquid 
food of easy digestion. 
“<‘The first day passed without the animal being in the slightest degree 
affected ; but on the following day, in despite of all our care, at ichorous ffaid 
was discharged, which the dog would lick notwithstanding all our efforts to 
preventit. The general health of the animal did not seem to be in the slightest 
degree affected. We continued our aromatic infusion and our regimen. 
“¢On the fourth day after the operation the cords that had served as a 
ligature fell off, and all suppuration from the part gradually ceased. 
“¢ October 20th.—Three months have passed since the operation, and she is 
perfectly well.’”— Youatt on the Dog, pp. 225-230. 
ACCIDENTS AND OPERATIONS. 
Cuts, tears, and bites, unless they are very extensive, and are 
therefore likely to occupy a long time in healing, are better left to 
themselves, the dog’s tongue being the best healing remedy. But 
when a V-shaped flap is torn down, or a very long and straight 
cut or tear is accidentally made, a few stitches should be put in 
with a proper curved needle, armed with strong thread or silk. It 
is only necessary to introduce the needle in two places on exactly 
opposite sides, and then, an assistant drawing the skin together, 
the ends are tied in a common knot and cut off closely. When, 
however, this plan is adopted a muzzle must be worn as long as 
the stitches are kept in, because the dog never rests satisfied till 
he has licked the knots open, or in some way with his teeth and 
tongue has got rid of them.. Wounds in the dog do not heal “ by 
the first intention,” that is, in three or four days, as in man, but 
fill up by what is called granulation. Of course in long wounds 
