The Abdomen 187 



testine of the dog is severed, the muscular coat immediately begins 

 to contract. The diameter of the tube is often diminished more than 

 one-half. The circular layer which is thickest causes the sudden 

 narrowing of the lumen, and the longitudinal layer then coming 

 into play brings about a pronounced eversion of the mucous mem- 

 brane. This action can be overcome to a considerable degree by 

 gently inserting the tip of the little finger within the luriien of the 

 severed ends, but even then it is a matter of extreme difficulty to 

 maintain the cut ends in apposition while the suturing is being 

 carried out. 



For the veterinary practitioner a simple uncomplicated method 

 is needed, one which does not involve the employment of specially 

 manufactured devices, which excepting in large cities, are usually 

 unobtainable at short notice. The necessity for performing this 

 operation invariably arises as an emergency, hence it is indispensable 

 that the technic be as simple as is compatible with favorable re- 

 sults, and that any device necessary to facilitate the work be such 

 as may be fashioned out of material at hand and at short notice. 

 With this end in view I have contrived a method which I believe 

 to be peculiarly adapted to canine practice. The sole device of 

 which it is necessary to make use is a lady's hair pin, bent as 



No. 42a. Halr-pln method o( anastomosis. Showing the manner In which the pin is bent. 



figured in the accompanying illustration. Two of these are re- 

 quired, together with three or four pairs of hemostatic forceps to 

 act as clamps. Pieces of wire may be substituted, but not having 

 as much spring, they do not answer so well. 



In order to follow each successive step in a complete enterec- 

 tomy and end-to-end anastomosis by this method let us suppose 

 that on exposing the viscera a tract of small intestine is found to 

 be in an advanced state of gangrene from the presence of some 

 obstruction, or owing to strangulation. The operator must first 

 carefully investigate the local blood-supply, bearing in mind that 

 no mesenteric vessel must be obliterated other than those supply- 

 ing the area of intestine it is intended to remove. This precau- 

 tion must be rigidly observed, because it is of the utmost import- 



