690 OPERATIONS. 



Setons. 



These are pieces of tape or other suitable material which are 

 passed into various tissues in order to set up irritation in the part, 

 and consequently tO' draw an increased supply of blood for the repair 

 of some neighbouring diseased or injured structure. The best kind 

 is broad white linen tape, or as broad a strip of calico as the 

 needle will take. A seton needle is a large, flat, steel needle made 

 for inserting the tape, and may be straight or curved (Fig. 178). 

 Those used about a joint, such as the hock, should have the point 

 blunt, in order to prevent injury to the capsular ligament ; but 

 should have the sides sharp. Rowelling scissors should be used 

 to cut through the skin at the points for insertion and exit of the 

 seton needle. A handle, to which the needle may be fixed, is em- 

 ployed to force the point through deep-lying, or hard tissues. When 



Fig. 178. — Curved seton needle. 



the tape is passed through the part, its ends may be tied together, 

 or knotted separately, an inch or two being left over, and the extra 

 lengths are cut off. The tape, as long as it remains in the part, 

 should be pulled backwards and forwards a little, once or twice 

 every day, so' as to keep up a continued state of irritation. The 

 tape, before being inserted, is sometimes smeared over with blister- 

 ing ointment to increase the irritation. The object of the seton 

 will usually be accomplished, when free suppuration has been set 

 up, which will be in five or six days. A seton should not be allowed 

 to remain longer than ten or twelve days in any part in which a 

 subsequent blemish would be a matter of consequence. 



Slinging. 



This is the employment of means for resting a horse when it is 

 indispensable that he should be kept standing, or when he is unable 

 to lie down. In the absence of properly-made slings, a good substi- 

 tute may be obtained by taking a sheet of thick canvas, such as a 

 strong sack, which will suit admirably as regards size, and is 

 generally available. Each end is turned over and sewn firmly on to 

 a piece of wood a little thicker than a stable-fork handle. This 

 impromptu sling having been passed under the horse's belly, ropes 



