64 VETERINARY SURGICAL THERAPEUTICS. , 
Asepsis of the wferus demands the same measures as that of the 
vagina. With an India rubber tube, the uterine cavity is washed. 
with tepid irrigations of a harmless antiseptic solution (boric acid 
‘or cresol). Corrosive sublimate (1 to 3,000), or bi-iodide of mercury 
(1 to 20,000) can be used. 
With the exception of catheterism, but few operations are per- 
formed upon the bladder. In this case what is important is prophy- 
lactic asepsis. The dangers likely to follow urethral catheterism, as 
practised to-day, have been hitherto entirely overlooked. Acute 
cystitis and its numerous complications may be the consequence of 
the introduction into the bladder of dirty catheters, which are never 
cleaned, and are, therefore, more or less septic. Urethral probes. 
should be disinfected by a long immersion in a strong antiseptic so- 
lution, and should be kept in special cases. 
In operations on the fool, local antisepsis may be obtained as fol- 
‘ lows: The shoe having been taken off, the plantar surface is thor- 
oughly cleansed, the hair is cut short upon the entire phalangeal 
region, the hoof and the skin are thoroughly washed with soap and 
warm water, then with an antiseptic solution, in which they are 
soaked for fifteen or twenty minutes, and finally the feet are covered. 
with moist antiseptic compresses, wrapped in a cloth and’ secured by 
bands of gauze. A cataplasm of linseed softens the hoof and may 
be useful, providing it is prepared with a somewhat concentrated. 
antiseptic solution ; but for asepsis, compresses are undoubtedly bet- 
ter. (Benjamin. ) 
Before beginning the operation the threads for ligatures and for the 
sutures and the dressing materials should be placed in one bowl or 
on a plate, while in others, containing the antiseptic solution, should 
be kept the instruments with absorbing cotton to take up the blood. 
As soon as the skin is cut the blood oozes out, and its flow in- 
creases as the cut is increased ; the field of operation is covered with 
it. As long as the hemorrhage takes place, extending through the 
small blood vessels, the blood should be taken up by the wadding of 
cotton balls, which are taken out of the antiseptic solution as they 
are needed. Irrigations with astrong phenic acid solution stimulate 
hemostasis, the tissues shrink, the vascular openings contract ; but 
these irrigations have the objection of producing a superficial ne- 
crosis. Unless infection exists, simple boiled or slightly salted water 
is sufficient. When small arteries, or veins of some size, are cut 
through, they are closed with the forceps or ligated with silk or cat-. 
gut. In most inflamed tissues an abundant hemorrhage follows, 
even if there are no large blood vessels. In these cases thermo- 
cautery is advantageous ; the blade, heated red hot and passed over’ 
the edge of the wound, is sufficient to stop the hemorrhage. Thescab 
formed is very thin and aseptic, and does not interfere with cicatriza- 
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