PADATINE ARTERY HEMORRHAGE 45 



by swabbing with a thick wad of cotton he can do 

 this easily. 



Having located the opening, one interrupted or 

 ordinary stitch is put through the soft tissue of the 

 palate transversely across the trauma (note I say 

 transversely across the traumu, not the artery) and as 

 nearly over the course of the palatine artery as possi- 

 ble. It is not necessary to engage the artery in the 

 stitch. The stitch is then tied "good and snug" but 

 not too tight. 



In most cases of this kind, resulting from the 

 "bleeder's" knife, this one stitch is sufficient and the 

 hemorrhage stops immediately. Reference to physi- 

 ology and to histological anatomy explain the reason 

 for this modus operandi. 



It is indeed rare that a case is presented which re- 

 quires more than one stitch if it is properly and cor- 

 rectly placed. Care must be used in starting the 

 needle so that it is not buried too deeply and the point 

 broken on the hard structures above. Aim to bury 

 the point about one-eighth of an inch and bring it 

 level with the surface for a considerable distance un- 

 der the hard palate (depending on the width or "gape" 

 of the cut) before turning it upwards again to engage 

 the other side of the wound. In other words, the 

 suture should go in and come out at least three-eighths 

 of an inch from each edge of the incision. A full- 

 curved needle and medium-heavy braided silk should 

 be used. A needle holder is almost indispensable. 



It is possible to carry out this little operation with- 

 out casting the horse ; but in this position it is about 



