314 
ON TORSION OR THE ARTERIES. 
near the anterior teat on the left side. It had been gradually 
increasing during the last five months : it was becoming more 
irregular in its form, and on one of its tuberculous prominences 
was a reddish spot, soft and somewhat tender, indicating that 
the process of suppuration was about to commence. 
I had often, or almost uniformly experienced the power of 
iodine in dispersing glandular enlargements in the neck of the 
dog, and also those indurated tumours, of various kinds, which 
form about the joints of some domesticated animals, particularly 
of cattle ; but frequent disapointment had convinced me that it 
was, if not inert, yet very uncertain in its effect in causing 
absorption of tumours about the mammae of the bitch. Having 
also been taught that the ultimate success of th ; excision of 
these enlargements depended on their removal before suppura¬ 
tion had taken place, and the neighbouring parts had been 
inoculated by the virus which so plentifully flowed from the 
ulcer, I determined on an immediate operation; and as the 
tumour was large and she was in high condition, I thought it a 
good case for the first trial of torsion. She was well physicked, 
and on the third day was produced before my class, and properly 
secured. I had not provided myself with the torsion forceps , 
but relied on the hold I should have on the vessel by means of a 
pair of common artery-forceps ; and although I am not prepared 
quite to justify this apparent carelessness, I am very glad that 
I used the instrument which I did ; for it beautifully established 
the power of torsion in arresting haemorrhage. 
Two elliptical incisions were made on the face of the tumour, 
and prolonged anteriorly and posteriorly, about an inch from it. 
The portion of integument which could be spared was thus 
enclosed, while the opposed edges of the wound could be neatly 
and effectually brought together after the operation. The dissec¬ 
tion of the integument from the remaining part of the face of the 
tumour was somewhat slow and difficult, for it was, in a manner, 
identified with the hardened mass beneath; but the operation 
proceeded more quickly as I turned off* from the skin sides of the 
tumour, and we very soon had the scirrhus exposed and adhering 
to the thorax by its base. About two ounces of venous blood had 
now been lost. 
I was convinced that I should find the principal artery by 
which the excrescence was fed at its anterior extremity, and not 
far from the spot where suppuration seemed to be preparing; 
therefore, beginning posteriorly, I very rapidly cut through the 
cellular texture, elevating the tumour, and turning it back, 
until I arrived at the inner and anterior point, and there was the 
only source of supply. The artery was plainly to be seen. In 
