92 



VETERINARY SURGICAL OPERATIONS 



gerous to lift the opposite leg in lancing about the knees, 

 fetlock and feet, on account of the tendency of the patient to 

 rear suddenly while the surgeon is in a low,- crouching at- . 

 titude, whence escape is impossible. About the hind extrem- 

 ities, tail, thighs, buttocks, and groins, flanks, hips and abdo- 

 men, one hind leg must be elevated above the floor with the 

 side line to assure against injury. 



INSTRUMENTS.— The common scalpel will answer for 

 a lancet, although the regulation instrument is preferable 

 (Fig. 45) as the cutting edge extends to both sides. 



TECHNIQUE. — Lancing is executed by one, forcible, 

 forward thrust of the lancet. If it is desired to make an open- 

 ing larger than the width of the blade a well gauged^sweep 



Fig. 45 — The Lancet Most Appropriate for the Veterinary Practitioner. 



in the desired direction is made almost simultaneously with 

 the forward thrust. The proposed depth of the perforation 

 is first estimated and then accurately attained by guarding 

 the blade with the thumb and index finger. 



Setoning. 



DEFINITION. — Setoning is the application of tape or 

 other fabrics through or between tissues for the purpose of 

 provoking and prolonging a state of irritation, or for the pur- 

 pose of maintaining a drainage orifice. 



INDICATIONS. — Setons are specially indicated in the 

 treatment of obstinate, deep-seated lesions of muscles and 

 articulations, particularly of the shoulder and of the hip. 



