GASTROTOMY 207 



be dressed daily and the sutures removed in five or 

 six days. 



Diet. — Subsequent to laparotomy the diet must 

 be wholly liquid — milk, beef tea, or beef juice. Raw 

 or cooked meat may be allowed, but no bones or 

 large pieces of meat, bread, or biscuit must be given 

 for at least two weeks after the operation. 



Nursing. — After the operation the patient should 

 be confined in a perfectly clean kennel, be perfectly 

 quiet, and be prevented from jumping, and ascend- 

 ing or descending stairs. A plentiful supply of 

 clean, cold water should be constantly provided. 



The temperature should be taken night and morn- 

 ing and recorded on a chart, as well as the condition 

 of the bowels and urine. 



Gastrotomy 



Incision of the stomach in canine patients is 

 chiefly performed for the removal of foreign bodies 

 either in the stomach itself or in the lower part of 

 the esophagus. 



Preparation. — Perform laparotomy, the incision be- 

 ing made in the middle line, commencing about two 

 inches posterior to the xiphoid cartilage and extend- 

 ing backward. The additional instruments and ma- 

 terials required will be a scalpel, long slender forceps, 

 ten round milliner's needles, No. 8 or No. 9, threaded 

 with No. 2 size black sewing silk, the thread being 

 tied into the eyes. Also have ready a needle holder, 

 gauze and a piece of rubber sheeting ten inches 

 square, having a slit three inches long cut in the 

 center. 



Technic. — The stomach is located and pulled up 

 through the slit in the rubber sheeting, which is 

 laid over, the abdomen. The stomach is then care- 

 fully packed around with gauze so as to eliminate 



