50 CANINE AND FELINE SURGERY 



made of some material (such as glass or metal) which can be 

 rigorously cleaned ; boiling is the easiest plan, and one which 

 renders them absolutely sterile. 



Antiseptic powders are applied usually b\' being dusted 

 on the parts with the aid of a piece of wadding, or, if at all 

 deep-seated, by means of an insufflator (see Fig. 28). 



The list of fluid antiseptics commonly used for wounds is 

 the same as that already mentioned when speaking of those 

 used for the site of incision (see p. 2). Dry antiseptics 

 include such agents as boracic acid, zinc oxide, iodoform, 

 thioform, tannoform, chinosol, starch, alum, tannic acid, etc., 

 either alone or mixed in various proportions. Those that 



Fig. 28. — Insufflator for the Application of Dry Dressings. 



are at all toxic, such as iodoform, must be used with great 

 caution, as absorption may take place, and particularly if 

 they are applied to a part which the animal can reach with 

 its tongue, as poisonous effects have been known to ensue. 



Operation Wounds. 



After cleansing, applying sutures, and thoroughly drying 

 with aseptic cotton-wool, an invaluable dressing is formed 

 either by iodoform and collodion (i to 10 or 12), or orthoform 

 and collodion (i to 8 or 10). Both these mixtures allay 

 irritation and protect the wound effectually until complete 

 union has taken place, if it is aseptic and does not become 

 accidental!)' infected. As they will not adhere properly 

 unless the surface is thoroughly dried, this ma}- be hastened 



1 Veterinary Record, vol. xiv., p. 262. 



