68 Surgical Diseases and Surgery of the Dog 



cases a protective cap will be found expedient but usually the shaking 

 ceases as soon as the irritation which provokes it is allayed, and no 

 further bruising occurs. 



Another method for promoting reunion of the tissues is to 

 inject a strong solution of iodine (iodine i part, potassium iodide 2 

 parts, alcohol i6 parts) after the exudate has been evacuated, but 

 it is neither as certain nor as speedy as the preceding one. 



AMPUTATION OF THE CONCHA. 



Under the term "cropping" this operation is extensively per- 

 formed on this continent for cosmetic purposes, or in other words, 

 to improve the appearance of the animal. Fashion, led by the 

 fanciers, regards the Great Dane, the Bull Terrier, the Boston 

 Terrier, the Black-and-tan Terrier, and certain French toy breeds as 

 fit subjects for improvement, and while such an operation cannot be 

 regarded as strictly legitimate surgery, yet it is described here so that 

 the practitioner may become conversant with the technic in order 

 that he may fit himself for undertaking it if he so elects. 



Amputation is also indicated when the flap has suffered irre- 

 mediable laceration and in intractable ulceration of the concha, in 

 which case both ears should of course be fashioned as artistically as 

 practicable. 



Various designs of clamps have been invented to facilitate the 

 operation and they are useful to employ as "markers," so that both 

 flaps may be evenly cut, but there is none wholly satisfactory, for 

 the reason that it is impossible to construct a clamp of such shape 

 as to include in its grasp at one time all the parts to be removed. 

 One of my own design is figured in the accompanying illustration. 



The Great Dane "crop" is the simplest of all. It is what is 

 known as a "straight crop," and the straight clamp is employed. 

 It is best done at the age of about three months. General anesthesia 

 may be employed, but as the operation is one which can be done 

 rapidly, morphine narcosis is sufficient. 



The first step consists in juxtaposing the flaps above the head 

 and snipping them with scissors together at a spot which is to form 

 the superior extremity of the "crop." This secures equal length to 

 either ear. The clamp is then adjusted on the concha or flap, the 

 outer edge of the upper end of the instrument corresponding to the 

 snip, the lower end being pressed close to the head so as to include 



