188 Veterinary Elements. 



twisted until it breaks loose from the forceps; the emas- 

 culator and ecraseur are instruments partially working on 

 this principle, they crush the coats of the vessels; tying, 

 or ligating, as it is termed, silk, twine, catgut or other 

 materials are used for this purpose; styjitics are occasion- 

 ally used, they cause clotting of the blood and thus stop 

 the flow mechanically, for such purposes tincture of iron, 

 turpentine and other drugs are used; the hot iron (cau- 

 tery) is also reliable for this purpose, in docking and 

 castrating of lambs, and sometimes in horses, in the larger 

 animals bleeding may occur when the scab left from the 

 burning falls off, usually about seven days after the oper- 

 ation. The use of dirty materials, such as cobwebs, earth, 

 etc., are dangerous, as these materials often contain 

 germs of various diseases, e. g., lockjaw (tetanus). Hot 

 water (above 110 Fahrenheit) or ice cold water will also 

 stop bleeding, warm water encourages it. The hands 

 should be cleaned and dipped frequently in the antisep- 

 tic solution when dressing a wound. Stitches are not 

 used as frequently as formerly in wounds of animals, the 

 powerful muscular contraction tends to tear them out, in 

 cases of severe wounds the veterinarian should be called. 

 The use of such irritants as acids, turpentine, salt, etc., 

 serve no useful purpose on a fresh wound when compared 

 with the pain caused, such materials really tend to hinder 

 and thus prevent rapid healing, their use is also liable 

 to result in permanent scars or blemishes. 



Another class of wounds to deal with are those known 

 as fractures (breaks), they occur in hard structures, such 

 as bone, differing from those already spoken of, which are 

 of soft tissues. 



