CATTT.E, THEIR DISEASES. 
243 
or sutures. The interrupted suture is made by carrying a suture needle 
armed with white silk or white linen thread, through the two edges of 
the wound and cutting off, leaving about three-inch ends on each side of 
the cut ; bring together and tic. So proceed until you have the wound 
nicely closed, the lips of the wound or siiiu being carefully brought 
together. 
The twisted suture is better in inexpert hands when it can be used. 
Bring the edges of the wound together, pass a strong pin through to 
hold in place, and twist a fine wire or lace a strong thread across tho 
protruding ends of the pin to hold the edges of the wound firmly 
together. So proceed at intervals of three-eights of an inch until tho 
wound is closed. 
The wound thus sewed, dress with a plaster or ointment and bandage 
to prevent threads or pins from being torn out. Remove them as soon 
as the surfaces have united, which should be in four or five days. 
Fomentations. 
These are applied by wrapping the part to be treated with flannel 
bandages or woolen cloths, and keep the wrappings constantly wet with 
hot or cold water, or mixed with any appropriate addition as vinegar, 
laudanum, etc. They are used to cleanse or soothe irritable wounds, to 
reduce internal inflammation, or relieve external inflammation. Unless 
persistently used for hours and kept constantly wet, they had better not 
bo attempted. After the operation is finished, rub dry and clothe warmly, 
to prevent chill, which will surely occur. As an additional precaution, 
a little mustard rubbed in would be beneficial. When it can be applied, 
a sheepskin with the wool on, wrung out of hot water, makes a good 
egent for fomentation, 
The Operation of Bleeding. 
There is no operation in veterinary practice that has been more abused 
by quacks and other persons ignorant of the true necessity, than bleed- 
ing. It should never bo performed except by those who have been 
instructed in the operation, and only in those cases where by common 
consent of the profession it is allowed. If a decided impression is to be 
made, as in apoplexy, from five to seven quarts should be taken from an 
ox, according to the conditions. If the jugular vein is pressed upon just 
below where the incision is to be made, it will soon show prominently. 
Use a thumb lancet in preference to a fleam. When sufficient has been 
taken, raise the two lips of tho wound, and bring them together betweon 
