DISEASES OP THE DOMESTIC ANIMALS 835 



in order that the obstruction produced by the bandage may be 

 regulated. Placing the finger under the bandage after its applica- 

 tion win give one an idea of the amount of pressure, and observation 

 of the limb will show one if the result is obtained — edema, but 

 warmth in the distal parts, with apparent relie"f of pain. The 

 turns of the elastic bandage should spread over some area of skin 

 and not be applied one over the other. 



The appropriate conditions in veterinary practice for Bier's 

 hyperemia include the following: Infections of the sheaths of 

 tendons and about the feet from injuries, punctures, etc.; joint 

 infections and stiff joints, including rheumatic joints. These 

 embrace purulent tenosynovitis and arthritis, and phlegmons about 

 the hoof in horses. A wet antiseptic dressing may be applied 

 loosely over the point of infection. It is yet to be proved of how 

 much value this method is in veterinary practice, although many 

 favorable reports have been made. In human surgery its value is 

 beyond cavil. 



Old and contused wounds should be treated by the application of 

 aseptic gauze soaked in 2 per cent, creolin, covered with oil silk 

 and bandage and renewed each day, until the septic condition has 

 been somewhat overcome. Unhealthy granulations are treated by 

 applications of lunar caustic and stimulant, antiseptic remedies, 

 as Peru balsam or carbolic acid in glycerin (1-10 — 16). A bandage 

 should always be employed when possible. Otherwise, healing may 

 be had under a scab by the application of tannin, silver nitrate 

 stick, or 10 per cent, formalin; or the wound may be kept cov- 

 ered with an ointment of 10 per cent, boric acid in vaseline. Some- ■ 

 times, if one trims off all septic tissue and disinfects the wouni) 

 with tincture of iodine, or pure carbolic acid, followed by alcohoi 

 and free irrigation with 3 per cent, lysol solution, it may be pos- 

 sible to secure first intention by suture of an old wound. In vet- 

 erinary practice, asepsis is difficult to obtain, as the application and 

 retention of bandages, the attainment of rest of a part by position 

 and splint, and a pure atmosphere and premises, are often unat- 

 tainable. But when possible, particularly in canine practice, the 

 methods of human surgery should be closely followed. If a fresh 

 wound is much soiled, it may be treated with pure phenol and 

 alcohol, or tincture of iodine, as above, or packed with iodoform 



gauze. 



Perforating Wounds of the Abdomen-The surroundmg region 

 should be prepared by shaving and disinfection of the skin, as des- 

 cribed for operative wounds. If there is protrusion of the viscera, 

 it should be protected meanwhile by a covering of sterile gauze 

 wrung out in hot water. If omentum prolapse, it should be ligated 

 and excised. If there is a protrusion of bowel, it must be cleansed 

 by the most painstaking and prolonged irrigation with warm 



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