96 



VETERINARY SURGICAL OPERATIONS 



wood at each protruding end far enough from the points of 

 entrance and exit to admit of considerable movement of the 

 tape. The former is preferable because during the after- 

 treatment it admits of a thorough washing of the tape with 

 antiseptics before it is drawn into the wound, although it 

 leaves the tape in danger of being torn out by the teeth or 

 by accidentally catching upon protruding objects, — accidents 

 which should not be permitted to occur. The latter method, 

 although leaving the tape protected against accidental tearing 

 out, is objectionable because the same portion of the tape is 

 always in the tract and hence cannot be effectually cleansed 



Fig. 47— Setons of the Shoulder and Hip. 



during the entire sojourn jn the tissues; and, furthermore, 

 its surface being constantly soaked with sleek, slimy pus, its 

 movements do not cause the same amount of irritation as a 

 newly-washed tape. 



AFTER-CARE; — Subcutaneous setons inserted against 

 a muscular atrophy or a deep articular lesion are usually 

 retained for twelve to fourteen days, after which they wili 

 be found to have provoked a putridity that necessitates their 

 removal. Beginning with the end of the first twenty-four 

 hours the whole region, including the tape, must be submit- 

 ted to a good antiseptic washing. The buried part of the 

 tape, after the exposed part has been well cleansed, is drawn 



