296 I'KINCIPLES OF VETERINARY SURGERY 



are the most numerous. "They form the basis of e\'ery sur- 

 gical operati'On." 



SYMPTOMS. — Incised wounds present three primitive 

 signs: pain, separation of the lips of the wound and the 

 haemorrhage. The pain, as is manifested by violent ef- 

 forts of self-defense. It varies in intensity with the richness 

 of the nerve supply of the region concerned. It is always 

 accentuated in the skin and muscles, and is less acute when 

 the incision is made with a sharp instrument than with a 

 notched or dull blade that will saw or tear the anaton^ical 

 elements. The separation of the lips of the wound is imipie- 

 diate, but varies in extent according to the tension of ths 

 part incised. It is very marked on the skin covering the ab- 

 domen, in arteries, and in muscles having pronounced re- 

 tractility. Separation is generally more accentuated at the 

 surface than in the deep layers, which circumstance favors 

 the outward flow of morbid products deposited on or formed 

 in the wound. 



The haemorrhage is very abundant in regions where su- 

 perficial vessels are numerous or when the instrument has 

 severed and artery. The skin bleeds but little, while muscle, 

 on the contrary, bleeds profusely owing to the development 

 of its blood-vessels. 



As asepsis is rarely perfect in domestic animals, imme- 

 diate union, even in the small animals, is quite exceptional. 

 Paul Bert's experiments of reuniting the amputated tail of 

 a rat, and of repairing the severed spur of a cock have not 

 materially simplified the question from a veterinary stand- 

 point. 



TREATMENT.— When the accident is recent, the 

 Wound clean and aseptic, immedi,'',te union should be at- 

 tempted. The suturing thread should 1:>e absorbable, and 

 as in the case of all instruments- used, it should be aseptic. 

 The interrupted stitch should be preferred, as it assures a 



