296 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



of the surrounding tissues. Now take the thread and place the middle 

 of it under the artery, fetch up the ends, tie one simple knot tightly, 

 pressing down the thread with the forefinger so as not to include the 

 forceps, then a second one over it, cut off the ends, and the thing is 

 done. The bleeding being arrested, the operator can now carefully 

 clean and inspect the wound, taking care to remove all blood and for- 

 eign matters and clip the hair around the edges before proceeding to 

 stitch it up. If the wound is superficial, the lips may be brought 

 together by a series of independent stitches (PI. XXVIII, fig. 6), about 

 three-fourths of an inch to an inch apart. The stitches should not be 

 drawn tightly; it is sufficient to bring the edges of the wound in 

 apposition. 



If the wound is deep the needle should be introduced perpendicularly 

 at as great a distance from the lip of the wound as the depth it is to 

 be inserted, so as to give the thread sufficient hold. All the stitches 

 should be as nearly as possible at equal distances from the border of 

 the wound, to prevent unequal strain, and the knots should be made 

 at the side, not over the wound. (PL XXVIII, fig. 6.) When the 

 wound is large and deep, care should be taken to have an opening in 

 the lowest part to allow for the escape of the discharges. 



In deep wounds which run crosswise of a limb or muscle it will often 

 be advisable to use what is technically known as the "quilled suture," 

 which is most readily described by Plate XXVII, fig. 7. To accom- 

 plish this method a curved needle with an eye in the point and a 

 strong double thread should be used. The needle thus threaded is 

 introduced perpendicularly at least an inch from the wound on one 

 side, carried across below and brought out the same distance from 

 the border of the cut on the opposite side, the thread being seized and 

 held in position while the needle is withdrawn, leaving a loop of 

 thread protruding on one side and two loose ends on the other side of 

 each stitch. When a sufficient number of stitches have been made, 

 take a light piece of wood about the size of a lead pencil, correspond- 

 ing in length to the size of the wound or slightly longer, and insert it 

 through each of the loops, drawing up the free ends of the threads, 

 which should in turn be tied securely on a similar piece of wood on 

 that side. 



Punctured wounds. — Owing to the uncertainty of their depth and 

 the structures they may involve, punctured wounds are by far the 

 most dangerous and difficult to treat. Not only is the extent of the 

 damage hidden from view, but the very character of the injury, as can 

 be readily understood, implies at least the possibility of deep-seated 

 inflammation and consequent discharge of pus (matter), which, when 

 formed, is kept pent up until it has accumulated to such an extent 

 that it burrows by simple gravity, as no other exit is possible. In 

 this way foreign matters, such as a broken piece of the stake or snag, 

 or whatever caused the wound, may be carried to an indefinite depth, 



