300 



VETERINARY SURGICAL OPERATIONS 



table. In the operating room, Young's device (Fig. 149) 

 consisting of a simple triangular trough made by nailing the 

 edges of two boards together and then preventing it from 

 tipping over by nailing a third board across one end, 

 answers the purpose exceptionally well. In the author's 

 operating room this exigence is met by a polished board two 

 feet wide and five feet long, hinged to the wall two and one- 

 half feet from the floor. When not in use it is fastened to 

 the wall with hooks and eyes, where it occupies little space. 

 When turned clown for use the free end is rested upon objects 

 of various heights according to the degree of inclination der 

 sired. The edges of the board are equipped with screw- 

 eyes at different points upon which to fasten the tie cords 

 from the patient's legs. This is by far the handiest, as well 

 the most economical, dog fable for the ordinary veterinary 



Fig. 149— Young's Table for Spaying Bitches. 



hospital where canine operations are not numerically im- 

 portant., 



In addition to the restraint, general anaesthesia is desir- 

 able to facilitate the technique, as well as to avert the horrify- 

 ing spectacle of exposing the viscera without any attempt 

 to control the pain. Total general anaesthesia with ether 

 or else partial general anaesthesia with hypodermic injec- 

 tions of morphia may be selected. Of the latter two to six 

 grains may be administered, according to the size of the 

 bitch. These large doses of morphia are both effectual and 

 safe. In fact they are much safer than the administration 

 of ether by inexperienced hands. 



INSTRUMENTS.— 1. Scalpel, probe-pointed bistoury: 



2. Dissecting forceps. 



3. Two artery forceps. 



4. Needles and silk thread. 



5. Scissors. 



