SUTURING 



101 



ceptible. (2) Where the importance of restoring the lost 

 continuity exceeds the danger of sepsis. (3) Where, as in 

 the case of intestines, nerves, etc., they are indispensable. 

 (4) Where an adequate drainage can be provided beneath 

 them. 



(1) They are contra-indicated in all septic wound where 

 adequate drainage is obstructed by them. (2) In all an- 

 fractuous traumatisms that will discharge profusely. (3) 

 Where great tension is required to bring the edges together. 



EQUIPMENT. — Needles and suturing material. Nee- 

 dles should be of various sizes and shapes to meet every re- 

 quirement. They are straight, (Fig. 50) full curved (Fig. 48) 

 and half curved (Fig. 49) and the shaft may be flat, (Fig. 50) 

 or round (Fig. 51). The half curved needle is the principal 



Fig. 48— Full Curved Needles. 



needle of the veterinary surgeon ; it fills almost every ordi- 

 nary demand. In deep, inaccessible places the full curved 

 one, however, often facilitates the insertion of stitches which 

 the length of the straight or ha'f curved one would prevent. 

 The round needle is made use of in suturing intestines, 

 mucous membrane and serous membrane, or in any other 

 work demanding the smallest possible perforations. 



Suture Materials. — The suture materials which will fill 

 every demand in veterinary surgery are : Braided silk 

 twisted silk, cat-gut, silk-worm gut, and linen thread. 



Braided silk, on account of its great strength, is a very 

 commendable suture material. Even in the smaller sizes its 

 strength is ample for almost any demand. With no objec- 

 tionable feature, except that of price, braided silk deserves 



