320 Surgical Diseases and Surgery of the Dog 



putation. Bruises of the extremity as observed in Great Danes, 

 when there exists chronic tumefaction and ulceration are usually- 

 accompanied with necrosis of the terminal vertebra, when the latter 

 must be disarticulated, by the flap method. Provision must then 

 be made to prevent a recurrence of the trouble until the wound is 

 healed. Besides the protective curtain advocated above, a sort of 

 flange should be applied to the tip of the tail just above the wound. 

 This is best fashioned out of a long strip of felt about three quarters 

 of an inch in width, which is smeared on one side with ordinary 

 carpenter's glue. The hair being clipped short, this is then wound 

 round the tail and on itself till a projection an inch or more in width 

 is thereby formed. Glue is the best adhesive material for the skin, 

 and when sufificiently thick, will hold any bandage in place, till the 

 hair in growing out forces it away from the skin, when it can be 

 peeled off with ease. When the tail is pounded against any surface, 

 the flange forms the point of contact and saves the tissues, and if 

 desired, bandages can be kept in place by tying above the flange. 

 The flange is left in place until complete healing has occurred, and 

 if it becomes displaced sooner must be reapplied. 



INFLAMMATORY AFFECTIONS. 



Circumscribed dermal inflammation may occur as a local mani- 

 festation of eczema. Further irritation on the part of the animal 

 itself by incessant scratching and biting soon sets up an ulcerating 

 sore. 



Treatment. Treatment is difficult, and at the best, tedious, for 

 most animals rebel at the application of bandage or muzzle. 

 Nevertheless, persistence in this as in every difficult undert^iking is 

 usually crowned with success. The treatment most productive of 

 good results consists of cauterization of the ulcer with the solid 

 nitrate of silver, until a cicatricial inflammation is established, and 

 subsequent liberal sprinkling of the inflamed area with some des- 

 sicant analgesic powder, preferably xeroform, to which a little ortho- 

 form may be added with advantage. The parts should be protected 

 from further irritation by antiseptic gauze and cotton bandages 

 whenever possible, every known device to keep the same in posi- 

 tion being tried in rebellious animals. At the same time, the 

 general health must be attended to, intestinal parasites eradicated, 

 the bowels freely opened, and a course of tonic treatment instituted. 



