AMPUTATION. 



137 



necessary, and for securing on the operating table the abdo- 

 minal position {see Fig. 9) is the most convenient. 



Amputation. — For this operation a general anaesthetic should 

 always be given. Wherever possible the parts around the site 

 of incision are carefully shaved, cleansed, disinfected, and 

 bandaged an hour or two before the animal is secured for the 

 operation. The position in which the patient is placed must 

 be arranged according to the discretion of the operator. 



In cases where one leg is injured it is a good plan to secure 

 the three sound legs with hobbles, and instruct an assistant to 



Fig. 71. 

 Two Patterns of Nail Forceps. 



gently, but firmly, keep hold of the injured one above the seat 

 of the accident until anaesthesia is complete. When this has 

 taken place the bandage is removed and the injured leg placed 

 on a cloth which has been boiled or otherwise rendered aseptic. 



After having placed a tourniquet of tape or elastic above the 

 seat of operation, the skin is pulled downwards as far as possible 

 and incised with a sharp-pointed scalpel or long thin-bladed 

 amputation knife. The incision may be either circular or flap 

 shaped, the latter being the one which has given us the best 

 results. The circular incision is made with one sweep of the 



