198 PRINCIPLES OF VETERINARY SURGERY 



by allowing the forceps to hang to the bleeding spot for 

 several minutes as the surgical work proceeds. 



5th. By Bailing. — Bailing or dipping the blood from 

 wounds during the surgical operation is the universal 

 method of dealing with the capillary bleeding and that of 

 small vessels. It is carried out more to facilitate the surgi- 

 cal work than to arrest the bleeding. Absorbent cotton or 

 sponges are used for the purpose. They are wrung out of 

 the bailing dish as dry as possible and then firmly pressed 

 into the wound just long enough to absorb the blood. The 

 wound must not be wiped with the cotton or sponge, as 

 wiping provokes rather than arrests bleeding. By firmly 

 pressing the sponge into the surgical wound the blood in 

 the region is momentarily pressed back, and thus does not 

 immediately refill the cavity. 



6th. By Cauterization. — Cauterization, especially with 

 the hot iron, is a very useful expedient in veterinary sur- 

 gery. It serves purposes that could hardly be accomplished 

 otherwise. For caudal amputations the actual cautery is 

 particularly satisfactory. In arresting the bleeding from the 

 resection of exuberant granulations, especially old ones 

 growing about the fetlocks, pastern and coronets, the actual 

 cautery promptly seals the oozing area and promotes cicatri- 

 zation. Spurting vessels of the skin following the lancing of 

 abscesses, sanguineous tumors, cysts, etc., although more 

 annoying than dangerous, are promptly closed with a touch 

 of the hot iron. In performing sanguineous ablations, such 

 as large tumors, the numerous though not large vessels 

 frequently yield a dangerous amount of blood, as well as 

 hinder accurate work. These may be met effectually, as 

 fast as they are cut, by merely touching them with the 

 thermo-cautery. 



7th. By Application of Styptics. — Monsel's solution, 

 tannin solutions, zinc sulphate, copper sulphate, etc.-, may 



