LIGATION 83 



tion of these common lesions by dissection, and prefer to 

 strangulate even the larger specimens. The practice in 

 this case is, however, not a perfectly harmless one, nor is it 

 universally curative, for frequently the denuded abrasion left 

 on the elbow after the sloughing is complete, may heal slowly 

 and even develop into another growth as formidable as the 

 first. And besides, the strangulation of so great a structure 

 may cause threatening reaction of no small proportions in the 

 surrounding area, which in some instances ends disastrously. 

 The operation should be reserved for small growths. 



The radical treatment of superficial aneurism and varicose 

 veins consists of a ligation of the affected vessels at each end 

 of the dilatation (ligation of continuity), but these abnor- 

 malities are relatively rare in domestic animals and hence 

 are of little importance to the veterinarian. 



Fig. 39— An Elastic Ligature Adjusted. 



In the treatment of hernias ligation is often selected as 

 the best method of destroying the hernial sac. Umbilical 

 hernia in particular is best managed by this method, (See 

 DerrVoperation page 357) but scrotal hernia (See Vanlaw's 

 operation page 360) and even traumatic ventral hernia, can 

 sometimes be effectually cured by special methods of ligation. 

 Ligation in veterinary kelology is preferable to radical herni- 

 otomy on account of the greater danger of infecting the 

 peritoneum and viscera in the latter procedure. 



CLASSIFICATION.— Ligation is classified into simple, 

 sectional and elastic. In simple ligation the base or pedun- 

 cle of the growth is merely encircled with the ligature, 

 while in sectional or multiple ligation they are divided into 

 two or more sections by the passage of the ligature through 

 them. Elastic ligation is the name given to the application 

 of a rubber band around the peduncle of a growth, which 



