6o CANINE AND FELINE SURGERY 



blade of the knife being protected by the fingers (or by some 

 tow or wadding wrapped round it) from entering too deeply, 

 and the cutting action made in a direction away from the 

 animal's body. This operation, which is a very simple one, 

 requires the aid of a sharp scalpel or lancet, the pattern of 

 blades known as Syme's or Paget's being especially adapted 

 for the purpose (Fig. 36). A bold incision should be made, 

 sufficiently large to enable the interior to be thoroughly 

 cleansed and examined after the contents have been 

 evacuated. Care must always be exercised in the region 

 of the throat or other dangerous situations. 



If there is doubt about the contents, an exploratory 

 puncture may be made with a fine trocar and cannula 

 (Fig. 37) or an exploring needle. The latter consists of a 

 needle \\ith a fixed handle, and having a groove down one 



Fig. 36. — Abscess Knife (Syme's and Paget's Blades). 



side of the blade, the groove being for the purpose of retain- 

 ing a small quantity of the contents, in order that the nature 

 of them may be examined before deciding whether the 

 swelling is to be lanced or not. If pus is found the opera- 

 tion of opening the abscess should be proceeded with without 

 further delay. 



The Prognosis is good, and the wound is afterwards treated 

 with antiseptics, either applied in the form of fluid injec- 

 tions or dry powder, a drainage-tube or ' tent ' of antiseptic 

 material being inserted for a few days in order to insure free 

 drainage. If necessary, a local anaesthetic may be used over 

 the spot where the incision is to be made, anestile, ethyl 

 chloride, or the ether spray, being easy of application and 

 very effective. 



