6 Surgical Diseases and Surgery of the Dog 



and one subject to more or less cicatrisation. In non-infected surgi- 

 cal wounds this suture, applied under aseptic conditions, will secure 

 healing by first intention. In traumatic wounds, which are invaria- 

 bly more or less infected, such desirable result is not always obtain- 

 able, though, at times, the two cut cuticular edges will speedily 

 unite whilst the subcuticular wound heals by the slower process of 

 suppurative granulation. This suture is particularly adapted to 

 linear wounds. 



The subcuticular suture is applied in the following manner : The 

 needle is introduced on the under surface of the skin, as near to the 

 upper commissure of the wound as possible, and including only the 

 deeper layers of the skin, is made to emerge at the cut edge. Cross- 



No. 1. The Subcuticular suture (a) lo couree o£ application (b) completed. 



ing over, the same process is repeated on the opposite side, and so 

 on alternately. Sebacious follicles and hair follicles should not be 

 perforated by the stitches. If the wound is believed to be aseptig 

 and free of spaces the suturing is extended as far as the inferior 

 commissure, but if it is known to be infected, the suturing should be 

 carried only to a point which will allow a proper orifice for drain- 

 age. When the entire row is completed both free ends are pulled on in 

 opposite directions which brings the edges of the wound into close ap- 



