164 OPEKATIONS 0^' THE SKIN AND OELLULAE TISSUE. 



This rule we consider a very important one, although it is known 

 that European veterinarians, when operating in some special re- 

 gions, entirely disregard it, firing in lines running at right angles 

 with the direction of the hair, though it is quite obvious that the 

 result must be an irregularity in the growth of the hair and a 

 wavy appearance, which can be entirely avoided by observing the 

 rule we have referred to. 



A glance at Fig. 204 will give the reader an idea of the proper 

 form for making the drawings and the directions of the lines. 

 Not only should the lines run parallel with the direction of the 

 hair, but it is equally important that there should be no deviation 

 in the width of the intervals between the lines. It would be im- 

 possible to give exactly the distance which must separate them, 

 as this depends upon the thickness of the skin, the condition of 

 the patient and the effects to be produced. 



In drawing the lines it must be remembered that they ought 

 to be of an even depth their entire length, but we do not think 

 that this can be easUy accomplished with the instrument having 

 the convex edge, whUe there should be no considerable difficulty 

 in effecting it by a steady and uniform manipulation with the 

 straight edged iron, and by merely raising the hand at the begin- 

 ning of the line and depressing it sUghtly at the end. 



The cautery must never be passed in one Une against the 

 growth of the hair, and by always dravdng it toward himself the 

 operator wUl avoid injuring the bulbs, and escape the danger of 

 causing a subsequent abnormal growth of hair. Nor should the 

 cautery be passed twice in succession in the same line. If the in- 

 strument should slip out of its track before reaching half its 

 length, the' line should be abandoned and the next one proceeded 

 with. To determine the lines correctly, and foUow them accu- 

 rately by the eye alone, requires a natui-al aptitude which all do not 

 possess. It is an art, however, which, if possible, should be ac- 

 quired, and as well as when existing naturally, cultivated and im- 

 proved, by study and practice. But in the absence of the natural 

 faculty, which it is so desirable for the surgeon to possess, resort 

 must be had to the obviously reliable expedient of previous mark- 

 ing, by which a charcoal mark upon a light-haired, or a chalk mark 

 upon a dark animal vdll obviate all risk of lack of symmetry and 

 want of regularity. 



The degree to which the cautery should be heated, as well as 



