18 Veterinary surgical operations 



abdominal invasions its object is to facilitate the manipula- 

 tions; in hernia it facilitates reduction; while in the other 

 major operations not connected with the splanchnic cavities 

 it prevents colic, intestinal rupture and chloroform syncope. 

 Sometimes the opposite course must be pursued. Instead of 

 restricting the feed the patient, on account of an existing 

 debility, may need a strengthening and stimulating prepara- 

 tion for the exhausting ordeal. Stomachics, ferruginous ton- 

 ics, dentistry, laxative and nutritious feeds are sometimes 

 excellent preparatory expedients. 



But aside from these the feet and the shoeing of the pro- 

 posed surgical patient often need attention. Even when 

 neither the feet nor the legs are concerned in the operation 

 it is always prudent to shape the feet or shoe them in such a 

 manner as to make the patient's sojourn in the hospital or 

 stable as comfortable as possible. A convalescent that must 

 remain standing day after day is ill prepared for the ordeal 

 if the feet are long, unkempt or badly shod. Excellent sur- 

 gical operations are sometimes turned into failures through 

 this neglect. 



2. Assembling the Equipment and Sterilizing the Instru- 

 ments and Dressings. — The patient having been pronounced 

 ready for the ordeal the attention is now directed to the para- 

 phernalia that will be required to perform the proposed oper-' 

 ation : The restraining apparatus examined as to its com- 

 pleteness for the purpose, every instrument known to be re- 

 quired and others needed to meet suspected exigencies, the 

 antiseptics decided upon as the best for the purpose, the su- 

 tures and needles and finally the dressings, are assembled 

 and conveniently arranged. While this is being systemati- 

 cally and thoughtfully carried out the instruments are 

 submitted to some form of effectual sterilization. In pre- 

 paring for a major operation it is sometimes no small men- 

 tal task to assemble without omission every little instru- 

 ment that might be required before the operation is com- 

 plete, and to avoid embarrassing delays, often at a crucial 

 moment, it is always better to assemble too many than too 

 few. To prevent losing instruments, if not also, as in human 

 surgery, to prevent some of them being accidentally forgot- 

 ten in the splanchnic cavities, counting is an excellent prac- 

 tice. The lost and forgotten instruments make no trivial item 

 in a veterinary practice where carelessness prevails. ' 



3. Preparation of the Surgical Field refers to the disin- 

 fection of the spot, space or region about to be submitted to 

 a surgical operation. In animals this includes skin, hoof or 



